Purpose: This stimulating workshop will help members of the professional caregiving community who want to enhance their knowledge and skills related to supporting people experiencing grief and loss. Dr. Alan Wolfelt will explore a multitude of sub-topics surrounding grief care and emphasize the importance of "companioning" not "treating" the mourner. Participants will go away with a wealth of knowledge as they explore the transformative nature of grief.
Who Should Attend: This workshop will be helpful to professionals who want to learn more about the essential caregiving principles of caring for grieving persons. It will be particularly helpful to nurses, counselors, social workers, clergy, chaplains, and lay ministers.
Agenda:
8:30AM Registration and Breakfast
9:00-9:15 Introduction: Broader Framework for Loss/Grief
9:15-9:45 Semantic Distinctions of Terminology
9:45-10:15 Essential Ingredients of the Caregiver
10:15-10:30 Critical Caregiver Qualities Inventory
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-11:25 Introduction to "Companioning" Philosophy
11:25-12:00 Explanation of the Concepts of "Hospitality" and "Sanctuary"
12:00-1:00PM LUNCH - Provided
1:00-1:30 Familiarization with Six Central Needs of Mourning
1:30-2:00 Overview of "Body of Knowledge" for Caregivers
2:00-2:15 Break
2:15-2:45 Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver
2:45-3:00 Summary of Caregiving Helping Roles: Support Versus Therapy
3:00-3:30 Understanding the Transformative Nature of Grief
3:30-3:45 Closing & Evaluations
3:45 - Book signing
Objectives: Upon completion of this workshop the participants will be able to:
Continuing Education: Nursing CEs have been approved through the Wyoming Hospital Association (WHA). The Wyoming Psychological Association has approved 5.5 CEs for this workshop. WHA can provide certificates for all other disciplines to self-report.
Registration: Registration for the Death, Grief, and Mourning workshop will take place on site after May 16th. Registration after May 10 or onsite is $50. The student registration fee is $20. Registration includes breakfast and lunch.
Lodging: A block of hotel rooms has been held at Little America. Rooms are $89.00/night. Call 307-775-8400 and refer to hotel rooms for the Wyoming Geriatric Education Center - Death, Grief, and Mourning Conference.
About Dr. Wolfelt: A noted author, educator, and grief counselor. Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt is the recipient of the Association for Death Education and Counseling's Death Educator Award. He serves as the Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition, he is a faculty member of the University of Colorado Medical School's Department of Family Medicine. A frequent guest of the media, Dr. Wolfelt has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Larry King Show, and the NBC Today Show.
He is the author of over thirty books on grief and loss. Among his titles are Loving from the Outside In, Mourning from the Inside Out; Understanding Your Grief; The Journey Through Grief; Companioning the Bereaved: A Soulful Guide for Caregivers; Healing a Spouse's Grieving Heart; Companioning the Grieving Child; Healing a Parent's Grieving Heart; Companioning You! A Soulful Guide to Caring for Yourself While You Care for the Dying and the Bereaved; and Creating Meaningful Funeral Ceremonies.
Alan and his wife Sue, a family physician, are parents to three children: Megan, Christopher and Jaimie. They live in the foothills of the beautiful Rocky Mountains next door to the Center for Loss and Life Transition. Dr. Wolfelt facilitates intensive 4-day learning experiences about grief and loss throughout the year in Fort Collins, Colorado. www.centerforloss.com
