As Harpswell Aging at Home steps into its second decade of service, new needs are emerging in the community. HAH is expanding its offerings again to provide bereavement support and support for dementia caregivers.
“We are trying to respond to the needs we see in the Harpswell community,” said Lili Ott, co-chair of Harpswell Aging at Home’s Steering Committee. “We have spent much of our time finding ways for our neighbors to be able to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. Many of our programs have naturally evolved. With many residents serving as caregivers and others who are facing the loss of a loved one, we are hoping these programs will provide some much-needed guidance and support.”
Elizabeth Davis, a chaplain with Maine Medical Center and a former volunteer emergency medical technician, started the first session of a support group for caregivers of family members with dementia almost two years ago. Davis, who was a caregiver herself, approached HAH in the hopes of creating a local program that would meet more frequently.
“The Alzheimer’s Association had a group that met once a month and St. Paul’s Church in Brunswick had a group for caregivers and their partners,” Davis said. “I came to the realization that caregivers need a place to process grief in a community with others who truly understand what they are going through.”
The group is for caregivers only and meets weekly. Members read two books and participate in discussion and group problem-solving.
“We try to become a family where we can speak honestly and share with one another using compassion and humor,” Davis said. “The journey is not one to be taken alone. Being a caregiver takes an immense toll on your physical and mental health. Caregivers are really dealing with a special kind of grief because they are grieving for the person who is right there in front of them. The most important thing we can teach is that it is critical for caregivers to take care of themselves first.”
The bereavement program is led by Sarah Watts Beneke. It is run independently of the group for caregivers.
Beneke, a lifelong educator, became a certified end-of-life doula and bereavement specialist shortly before moving to Maine. An end-of-life doula is a nonmedical support person who helps individuals and their loved ones navigate the final stages of life with comfort, dignity and meaning.
“As a society we have moved away from many of the rituals and ceremonies surrounding death,” Beneke said. “The kind of community support that once existed for those in mourning is harder to find today.”
She hopes Harpswell Aging at Home’s bereavement group will build that sense of community for participants. The 12-week program recognizes there is no one way to grieve. Activities promote reflection and healing. They include creative endeavors, such as writing, and guided discussion.
“We are offering a safe space to grieve, share experiences, and process,” Beneke said. “While grief will always be with us, with support, time and connection, we can find new sources of meaning, resilience and hope.”
Both programs are held in Harpswell and will begin new sessions at the end of January. For more information about caregiver support, call Davis at 207-310-4418. For more information about bereavement support, call Beneke at 330-414-4825.
