The Manitoba Home Builders' Association is celebrating 75 years.
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/692961
8 ❖ JUNE 2016 A R R A N G E M E N T S By Wendy King for the Free Press S ignificant loss is one of the most difficult life events, whether it comes suddenly or as a consequence of long-term illness. Kelly Kluger, acting executive director of Palliative Manitoba, says many people are not aware that bereavement is part of the spectrum of palliative care and that province-wide, Palliative Manitoba is there to help, offering one-to-one support from well- screened, trained volunteers who have undergone 24 hours of training. When someone is in need of bereavement support, they can reach out and be matched with a volunteer who will call them with telephone support once a week or more often at the start, if desired. "Clients like to be in the comfort of their own home and anonymity is important for some people," Kluger says. This service can be essential to people who don't want to burden other family members or who feel they cannot share certain aspects of their grief. "The volunteer comes without history or any judgment. They are just open to listening so clients feel like they can talk about their grief openly and be with someone who knows there is no timeline for grief," she says. Palliative Manitoba stresses that each person's journey will be different, and that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. "We describe grief as a roller coaster or a river that travels its own way and it can be very unpredictable," she says. Kluger has some gentle suggestions for those who wish to offer support to someone in grief. "Individuals really just want someone to be present and listen, allowing them to share what they feel able to share in that moment -- it's really as simple as that," she says. She says that many clients want to have their loved one referred to by name and hear stories about them. Palliative Manitoba also offers no-charge public grief seminars throughout the year in partnership with Cropo and Chapel Lawn funeral homes featuring expert speakers. Support groups for children aged nine to 12 and 13 to PALLIATIVE MANITOBA THERE TO HELP DURING TOUGH TIMES