Supports We Offer
As part of the holistic hospice philosophy, we offer a variety of programs, counselling and complementary therapies at no cost for people living with a palliative illness, caregivers, and those grieving a loss.
Supportive Care Programs
Counselling
Counselling provides an opportunity to explore feelings related to living with a palliative illness and the death of a loved one. Fear, sadness, anger, and confusion are natural to the grieving process and need expression. Personal and family counselling offers a safe place to name and express such feelings as well as to learn effective coping strategies. Those overwhelmed by or concerned about their grieving experience may benefit from this service.
St. Joseph’s Hospice provides person and family centred counselling at no cost to our community. Our professional counsellors offer these services in the warm inviting environment within our hospice home.
To learn more please contact:
Supportive Care Administrative Assistant
admin.assistant@sjhospicelondon.com
Phone: 519-931-3474
Bereavement Support Groups
H.E.A.L
(Helping Each Other to Acknowledge, Accept and Learn from Loss)
The HEAL support group assists to rebuild feelings of hope and alleviate suffering by offering a safe, calm space for healing, and for reflection on the narrative of death and loss.
Six weeks closed group; registration and group readiness evaluation required.
Mindfulness for the Bereaved
This group explores the connection between mind, body, and breath. Mindfulness bereavement support is about helping recently bereaved individuals acknowledge the truth of the moment they are in, even (or especially) when that moment hurts. One of the greatest anxieties in grief is the fear of overwhelm—the sadness, the loneliness, the anger, the shame, the guilt (whatever the dominant emotions are) threaten to overwhelm us far beyond our capacity to cope. The fear is unfounded, but it arises, nonetheless. Grounded awareness can be an effective tool to combat this sense of pending overwhelm.
Understanding Your Grief
Based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s book of the same name, this group aims to inform and support grievers. Each month, this psychoeducational group explores one of Dr. Wolfelt’s Touchstones and a different topic related to grief. Participants are welcome to attend as few or as many sessions as they wish.
Exploring Grief
Loosely based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s Six Needs of Mourning, this group explores the connection between tasks of mourning and creative experiences to facilitate the expression of grief, loss, and transition. The objective of implementing expressive arts to support “The Six Tasks of Mourning” is to express and share feelings in a safe environment, honour and integrate the loss, and learn useful coping strategies.
Practicing Self Compassion
Practicing Self Compassion explores the importance of self-care and compassion for the mind, body, and heart to ease suffering and nurture self-resilience. When someone is grieving, they may find it difficult to recognize grief as stress and practice self-care which may adversely affect overall wellness physically and emotionally. The “Practice of Self-compassion” focuses on the importance of self-care and compassion for the body and the heart. Topics encourage taking care of the self physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially, and spiritually. Practicing self-compassion can assist to rebuild feelings of hope and alleviate suffering by offering a safe, calm space for healing, learning and self-reflection.
Children’s Programs
Storytime Explorers is for children aged 5-10 years old who are grieving a death loss. Each week a new children’s book relating to grief, loss, and emotions is presented, with an art activity afterwards. This program was created by our friends at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice and generously shared with us.
Wellness Programs
Connected Through Cooking
Our monthly class helps teach participants to acquire practical skills for shopping and cooking while connecting with others in a safe and comfortable environment.
Step by Step Walking Group
Step by Step is a relaxed walking group providing an opportunity to enjoy nature. Meeting on a weekly basis from May through October, a volunteer leader guides participants on gentle walking paths, and from time to time introduce a theme as a reflection as you walk.
Drop in Meditation
Join us every other Tuesday morning for a relaxing hour of guided meditation led by one of our experienced volunteers. No previous meditation experience is required, only an open mind and willingness to try.
This group is open to everyone, clients, caregivers, residents, and volunteers.
Bi-weekly group. Registration is not required.
Come As You Are
Intended to support you on your unique journey through art-based therapy, this Art Hive is a collaboration between Hospice and the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. No art experience or skills are required. Join us each week for self-discovery and relaxation in a safe, non-judgmental space.
This group is offered to all clients, including residents and caregivers.
Weekly group. Registration is required.
Creating Room for Comfort ( Making Room for Self Care through Mindfulness based Art)
A joint venture between St. Joseph’s Hospice and the Toronto Art Therapy Institute, intended to provide wellness support to bereaved and caregiver clients with an art-therapy focus. Group members will gain a deeper understanding of their personal experience, a deeper sense of self while developing coping mechanisms, a sense of community, and continued support during a period of transition. The imaginative exploratory aspect of this program serves to enhance the reduction of the stress-response and promote the relaxation response. Art skills or experience are not necessary, as the focus is on the process, not the outcome. All required art materials are supplied. This group is open to bereaved and caregiver clients. Six weeks closed group; registration required. This is an online group, hosted on Zoom.
Complementary Therapies
St. Joseph’s Hospice offers a variety of complementary therapies in our Wellness Centre. For those living with a palliative illness we are able to offer these therapies in the comfort of your home.
Massage
Massage Therapy utilizes direct contact by kneading the muscles and joints to improve circulation, range of movement, decrease minor muscle pain and help overall relaxation.
Reiki
Reiki is a technique used for stress relief and relaxation. A Reiki therapist uses light touch to activate the natural healing processes to aid with physical and emotional well-being.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a focused hands-on pressure technique, usually directed at the feet or hands. It is based on the premise that there are reflexes on different parts of the body that correspond to other body parts, glands, and organs. Reflexology can promote stress relief, enhance circulation, and support a healthy metabolism.
Spiritual Care
It can be difficult to sort through your thoughts and feelings around life and death. We want patients and loved ones to have the best experience possible, despite the presence of a life-changing illness. Many people find it helpful to talk through things with a nonjudgemental, confidential and compassionate spiritual care professional or volunteer. This isn’t about a particular faith or religion; it’s about quality companionship that provides a supportive outlet and some guidance on your journey.
We are here for you.