On the evening of July 13, 2017 the All Care Hospice and Bereavement Program held a Summer Service of Remembrance at the Lynn office. Over one hundred All Care families, staff and community members gathered together to remember and to seek comfort. The service provided an opportunity to reflect and honor through poetry, music and special rituals lead by different Hospice staff members. The women’s chorus, Voices Rising, graced us with their amazing gifts of song and presence.
On Monday June 26th All Care VNA & Hospice will host its 25th Annual Charity Golf Open at Gannon Municipal Golf Course in Lynn, MA
Nine months ago, I began an experience that would prove to be inspiring and life altering. At the time of accepting the All Care Hospice internship, I had not yet fully understood the scope of hospice and bereavement work. These past several months have proved to be the most rewarding and challenging that I have ever experienced.
On July 13th, at 6:00 pm, All Care Hospice will host its annual Summer Service of Remembrance. Together with hospice families and community members, All Care staff will honor and celebrate the lives of those lost over the past twelve months and in years prior.
The event, being held at the All Care building located at 210 Market Street in Lynn, will provide fellowship through inspirational readings and musical offerings for those wishing to acknowledge their grief, who are seeking hope or solace in their mourning, as well as for those who wish to recognize their loss and honor a loved one.
The needs of hospice patients are as varied as their individuality, but a common struggle is the impacts on self-identity. “People who suffer from life threatening and chronic illnesses often describe the impact of their diagnosis, treatment, and illness as having disrupted their sense of self-identity” (Carr, 2014).
My primary role as an art therapy intern to All Care Hospice patients is to provide comfort, companionship, reflection, and assist in connection with others through the creative process.