Senior Care Marketing
Content Marketing
August 30th is National Grief Awareness Day, a day established by Grief Magazine founder, Angie Cartwright to “recognize and honor the oldest journey known to mankind” and to educate society about “the clichés and myths of grieving.” Whether helping families prepare for and cope with their loved ones’ end of life, or supporting your staff when a beloved resident or client dies, grief and loss are very much a part of the work we do in senior care. Take this observance in August as an opportunity to bring these themes to the forefront and provide valuable information to help everyone involved.
Content Tips for Any Senior Care Company
The founder of National Grief Awareness Day says that she has found that “healing can only take place when grief is not shamed, rushed, or tabooed…When we lose someone, we are told to move on and to get over our sadness, because grief is commonly perceived as something that needs to be fixed. As a result, the bereaved feel misunderstood, and they end up grieving in silence.” You can use this quote — from a Change.org petition she’s started — as a starting point for blog posts, for social media memes, or as a thematic starting point for any other content you create for this observance.
The founder of National Grief Awareness Day also states that the first step in supporting those grieving “is for people to become more aware of what grief stricken people are going through.” Look at the expert resources (some below) on what the stages of grief are, and pass on that knowledge to those you serve and their family members. If you have real stories you can share, that’s a way to draw others in — they can learn from the experiences of others while also realizing they are not alone in the feelings they’re having.
Consider a Q&A article with a grief expert. What do they think are the biggest misconceptions about grieving, and what do they recommend for those you serve — as well as for your staff?
The founder of National Grief Awareness Day says, “It’s an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness about the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a human being.” You can discuss that theme, provide real stories (where individuals are willing to share their stories), and include grief support resources that readers can turn to for further help with any feelings of grief or loss that they’re feeling.
For organizations that offer hospice or end-of-life services: Demonstrate your expertise in this area, by explaining your philosophies and approaches to supporting those dying and their loved ones. Tip: Avoid being too ‘salesy’ or focused on lead generation and getting new clients. Instead, focus on being understanding, knowledgeable, and helpful.
Content Tips for Senior Living Communities
Does your community host any grief support groups? What are your protocols or practices for addressing grief among residents and staff when a beloved resident dies? For instance, do you host memorial events for deceased residents, or have tributes, such as the memory garden that Azura Memory Care of Eau Claire, WI created for remembering residents who’ve died? Are those you serve aware of your offering in this regard? Take this opportunity to talk about your services and support for those who pass away at your community, and for those left grieving by the loss.
Content Tips for Home Care Agencies
Does your home care agency partner or collaborate with a hospice provider? Talk about that collaboration and how it benefits those dying and those grieving.
Is there anything else that your organization does to support those who are grieving? For instance, is there a client for whom you were hired as an elder companion after the loss of a spouse, friend, or loved one? That story could be a starting point for discussing the impact of grief and how your agency can provide support.
Caring Resources to Support this Spark
Additional Resources to Support this Spark
Center for Complicated Grief at Columbia School of Social Work
GriefNet.org — a volunteer-based nonprofit that connects individuals to support groups and hosts an online community for those grieving
Grief Recovery Institute — this is another expert organization, founded in the mid 1980s, and offering training, workshops, and more
Being Mortal – a highly acclaimed book by surgeon Atul Gawande that shows that “the ultimate goal is not a good death but a good life — all the way to the very end”
Content Sparks are part of Caring.com’s Content Made Simple program. See all of the Content Sparks.
You May Also Like This
Senior Care Marketing
Content Marketing
August 30th is National Grief Awareness Day, a day established by Grief Magazine founder, Angie Cartwright to “recognize and honor the oldest journey known to mankind” and to educate society about “the clichés and myths of grieving.” Whether helping families prepare for and cope with their loved ones’ end of life, or supporting your staff when a beloved resident or client dies, grief and loss are very much a part of the work we do in senior care. Take this observance in August as an opportunity to bring these themes to the forefront and provide valuable information to help everyone involved.
Content Tips for Any Senior Care Company
The founder of National Grief Awareness Day says that she has found that “healing can only take place when grief is not shamed, rushed, or tabooed…When we lose someone, we are told to move on and to get over our sadness, because grief is commonly perceived as something that needs to be fixed. As a result, the bereaved feel misunderstood, and they end up grieving in silence.” You can use this quote — from a Change.org petition she’s started — as a starting point for blog posts, for social media memes, or as a thematic starting point for any other content you create for this observance.
The founder of National Grief Awareness Day also states that the first step in supporting those grieving “is for people to become more aware of what grief stricken people are going through.” Look at the expert resources (some below) on what the stages of grief are, and pass on that knowledge to those you serve and their family members. If you have real stories you can share, that’s a way to draw others in — they can learn from the experiences of others while also realizing they are not alone in the feelings they’re having.
Consider a Q&A article with a grief expert. What do they think are the biggest misconceptions about grieving, and what do they recommend for those you serve — as well as for your staff?
The founder of National Grief Awareness Day says, “It’s an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness about the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a human being.” You can discuss that theme, provide real stories (where individuals are willing to share their stories), and include grief support resources that readers can turn to for further help with any feelings of grief or loss that they’re feeling.
For organizations that offer hospice or end-of-life services: Demonstrate your expertise in this area, by explaining your philosophies and approaches to supporting those dying and their loved ones. Tip: Avoid being too ‘salesy’ or focused on lead generation and getting new clients. Instead, focus on being understanding, knowledgeable, and helpful.
Content Tips for Senior Living Communities
Does your community host any grief support groups? What are your protocols or practices for addressing grief among residents and staff when a beloved resident dies? For instance, do you host memorial events for deceased residents, or have tributes, such as the memory garden that Azura Memory Care of Eau Claire, WI created for remembering residents who’ve died? Are those you serve aware of your offering in this regard? Take this opportunity to talk about your services and support for those who pass away at your community, and for those left grieving by the loss.
Content Tips for Home Care Agencies
Does your home care agency partner or collaborate with a hospice provider? Talk about that collaboration and how it benefits those dying and those grieving.
Is there anything else that your organization does to support those who are grieving? For instance, is there a client for whom you were hired as an elder companion after the loss of a spouse, friend, or loved one? That story could be a starting point for discussing the impact of grief and how your agency can provide support.
Caring Resources to Support this Spark
Additional Resources to Support this Spark
Center for Complicated Grief at Columbia School of Social Work
GriefNet.org — a volunteer-based nonprofit that connects individuals to support groups and hosts an online community for those grieving
Grief Recovery Institute — this is another expert organization, founded in the mid 1980s, and offering training, workshops, and more
Being Mortal – a highly acclaimed book by surgeon Atul Gawande that shows that “the ultimate goal is not a good death but a good life — all the way to the very end”
Content Sparks are part of Caring.com’s Content Made Simple program. See all of the Content Sparks.
