Supporting Our Seniors Through the Seasons
By: Boone County
By Lacey Vanis, RN
Having worked my entire adult life with our senior population, I’ve learned that there are a few things many of us find difficult, like asking for help and talking about how we feel. My love for our seniors and passion for providing support are what brought me to Boone County Health Centers’s (BCHC) Senior Life Solutions.
Our program focuses on group therapy and personalized care for older adults, typically 65 and older, in a safe, welcoming space. We help participants connect with others who understand, learn coping strategies, and rediscover joy, even in the heart of winter. Plus, no referral is needed to participate.
As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to remember that while this time of year can be joyful for some, it can also bring feelings of loneliness, grief, and anxiety for others. For many, the season may highlight the absence of a loved one, changes in family dynamics, financial hardships, physical challenges, or other life transitions that require grieving.
Grief is not only about loss of a loved one. It can accompany any major change. Each person’s process is unique, with no right or wrong way to grieve. Our goal at BCHC’s Senior Life Solutions is to offer compassionate, local support for individuals wherever they are in that process.
To enhance that support, BCHC has partnered with Aseracare Hospice to bring a specialized Grief Support Group closer to home. This group will be offered quarterly in the KVAM Room, located near the North Administrative entrance of the Health Center.
This group provides an opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences, to learn new tools for coping, and to find comfort in community. It is open to anyone who would like to participate no matter where you are in your life or grieving journey.
As we move through this holiday season, remember: the best gifts we can offer are kindness, presence, and a listening ear. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 402-395-3134.