. . . a New York State Certified Hospice, providing an individualized plan of care for terminally ill patients, their families and loved ones. Our Hospice team of skilled professionals and volunteers offers pain and symptom control in a familiar and loving environment at home, with social, emotional, and spiritual support for all care givers throughout the difficult time of illness and loss. Bereavement care for our patient families is an essential part of East End Hospice.

Our Bereavement Care Services . . .

. . . are offered to all who live on Long Island's East End - for the families of Hospice patients as well as for members of the larger East End community.

	In furtherance of the Hospice mission there are no fees, and donations are voluntary, to cover the costs of refreshments and supplies.
	Bereavement services may include weekly group counseling sessions or individual sessions where needed.
	Special groups are available - for children, for men, for the families and loved ones of AIDS patients.
	Children who have experienced a loss are welcome at Camp Good Grief.
	Training in grief and bereavement therapy is available to counselors, educators, therapists, and other health care professionals.
	Bereavement care programs are offered to church groups, schools, and civic organizations.

Our Bereavement Care Staff . . .

. . . are certified social workers, nurse practitioners, and psychotherapists, extensively trained in grief therapy.

	Our staff are skilled and caring people who can help you cope with your loss.
	When you call, you will talk with a social worker or therapist, and make an appointment to meet to discuss what is best for you.
	Our staff will encourage you to talk of your feelings in a safe, comforting environment among others who share your sense of loss.

This Is a Difficult Time

The days and weeks leading up to a death are a truly difficult time, as are those that follow.

	You may have many differing feelings - a sense of disorganization, difficulty in concentrating, or in sleeping and eating well.
	You may at first feel isolated in your sadness. Gathering with others, in our groups, will help you past that time.

Counseling and Support Groups

	Our counseling groups will allow you to speak of your feelings comfortably. Groups meet each week, one and a half hours for twelve weeks, at convenient places in several North Fork, Westhampton, and East Hampton communities.
	Support Groups gather monthly after that, and you are invited whenever you would like to come, for as long as you need.

Community Groups for Men, Children

"Our bereavement groups," notes EEH Bereavement Coordinator Sarah Zimmerman, "have been expanded to meet the needs of both men and children in the larger East End community. And they are being very gratefully received -"

"Children learn of the groups through guidance counselors or friends, or they may already be Hospice kids known to our staff as Hospice patient family members. The children meet after classes at their own schools - a familiar place with the late bus convenient for the trip home. They may begin with anxious feelings after the death of a parent or sibling, a friend or relative. But after eight one-hour sessions they're oftentimes open and trusting, participating with their hearts," Sarah observes. One group has even given itself a name, and made plans for a reunion.

Also offered, thanks to the efforts of social worker and Hospice volunteer Sherwood Carter, is a bereavement group for men. Through brochures sent to men's groups, public service announcements, and word of mouth invitation, EEH has urged members of the community to join Hospice patient family members meeting twelve times weekly at our Westhampton office.

Recently added, in response to a true need, Sarah notes, is the first EEH bereavement group held for a senior center - this one in Mattituck, by invitation of the Southold Department of Human Services and including both Hospice patient family members and community members who meet at the center.

The bereavement groups are facilitated by Sarah Zimmerman, with EEH President Priscilla Ruffin and the EEH social workers - and invaluable assistance from bereavement volunteers. East End families and friends seeking details of any of our bereavement group programs are welcome to call Bereavement Coordinator Sarah Zimmerman, 288-8400, at any time.

We invite you to call upon East End Hospice to ask
about our bereavement care services,
and we will welcome you warmly when we meet.