Research shows that little attention is paid to supporting health care workers, social service providers and volunteers through grief and loss. Yet they experience it almost daily. Losses may take the form of residents/clients/patients moving to different services, becoming sicker or dying. Often these losses happen in quick succession. Providers often have little or no time to grieve, and often feel that they must put their emotions to the side and support others. Overtime, this can take its toll.

Families and friends often receive lots of support immediately after someone close to them dies. And then there’s a lull. Life can feel like riding a rollercoaster with blinders on. Sometimes you feel quite normal and then out of the blue, there’s a sudden acceleration into a deeply emotional curve.

Powerful feelings of loss can also happen when we change jobs, a colleague leaves, we move into retirement, we transition our role from spouse to caregiver or experience a change in health status.

Some people are comfortable with and have access to counseling services. Others do not. Grieving takes time and is an individual journey.

It may sound strange to put “Live it Up!” and Grief & Loss together. But based on my recent and on-going experience, I believe that they are intertwined. I hope that the Grief & Loss packs help you wherever you are on your journey.

Sheila Cook, Live it Up! Founder

Please note that these packs are not meant to replace professional guidance from your health care provider, counselor, employee assistance program or spiritual care leader. Rather, they are meant to be an additional source of comfort.