BridgingLife Education and Support
Groups
BridgingLife has compiled a
multitude of resources for you and your family to help
you during this difficult time. Please see below for a
list of all our resources.
Grief Resources
BridgingLife knows the tremendous
impact the loss of a loved one or friend can have. To
support hospice families and the community at large,
BridgingLife has a number of free grief resources available
to help through the grieving process.
The McGinnis Bereavement Resource Center at Dove House in
Westminster, Maryland, features more than 500 books, videos
and DVDs that can be borrowed for up to a month’s time. From
adult grief to caregiving to pet loss and more, the
materials cover a wide range of topics. The resource center
is open to the public, so that hospice families and
community members can utilize the library and check out
materials.
BridgingLife offers up to 13 months of grief counseling for
hospice patients’ families. These counseling sessions help
families realize that the feelings they are experiencing are
normal and allow them to work through and understand those
feelings. BridgingLife also offers short-term grief
counseling for community members and can provide referrals
to other counseling services in the community.
In addition, BridgingLife hosts a variety of grief support
groups which are designed to be a safe environment where
thoughts and feelings of those experiencing loss can be
shared with others. All support groups are free and open to
the public, and some require registration.
Learn more about our support groups:
For Adults
Healing After a Substance Loss
Support
Group
Open to those who have experienced the death of a loved one
related to substance use or addictions. The group addresses
the unique emotional issues surrounding the loss and offers
coping strategies. This group meets the first Tuesday of
each month, 5 – 6:30 p.m. Call 443-875-8763 for more
information.
Mending Hearts Support
Group
A support group for parents who have lost a child of any
age. Receive support and advice on managing the complex
emotions involved with the death of a child. During
sessions, attendees can share their experiences, participate
in discussions and receive comfort in a warm and welcoming
environment. This group meets the third Monday of each
month, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Call 410-871-7656 for more information.
Pathways Support
Group
Open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. The
group addresses emotional issues surrounding the loss and
offers coping strategies. Meets the third Wednesday of each
month, 7 – 8 p.m. Call 410-871-7656 for more information.
Widows and Widowers Support
Group
This support group helps women and men address the emotional
issues surrounding the loss of their spouse. Held the first
Tuesday of each month, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Call 410-960-7568 for
more information
For Children Ages 7 to 15
To help children with their grief,
BridgingLife offers Camp T.R. as well as short-term grief
counseling. Our bereavement counselors also can provide
referrals to other counseling services in the community.
What is Camp
T.R.?
Hosted each year by BridgingLife, Camp T.R. is a free,
overnight weekend retreat for children ages 7 - 15 who are
grieving the loss of a loved one. The camp combines
recreational activities, such as art, swimming and music
with grief education and support.
How can Camp T.R. help a
grieving child?
The camp offers a safe, supportive environment to help
children understand and cope with their grief. After the
death of a loved one, children may experience feelings of
anger, loneliness, and guilt. Some may even experience
physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches and
fatigue. The camp is designed to help children deal with
these emotions. Our goal is to let campers know that they
are not alone and help them feel comfortable sharing their
feelings.
What types of activities are
offered?
Campers will learn positive ways to express their emotions
through creative exercises, honest discussions and
recreational activities. In addition to grief education and
support, daily activities may include:
-
Arts and Crafts
-
Dance
-
Drama
-
Swimming
-
Hiking
-
Games
Who are the staff
members?
Camp T.R. is staffed by professional bereavement counselors
and volunteers with special training in helping grieving
children. Each camper is also assigned a "buddy" (usually a
volunteer) for added support.
What is the cost?
Camp T.R. is FREE for all participants. All meals are
included.
Where do campers
stay?
Campers stay in one of five secure, comfortable cabins on
the grounds of the Hashawha Environmental Center in
Westminster, Maryland. Situated on Lake Hashawha, the center
gives campers a much-needed change of scenery, along with a
broad range of outdoor recreational opportunities.
For more information, please call 410-871-8000
Bereavement Skills Training
BridgingLife offers a series of
educational classes for those interested in training in
bereavement and grief issues and is suitable for those
interested in becoming grief companions for BridgingLife or
professionals. This includes teachers, counselors, nurses
and pastors seeking additional training and skills.
Registration is required.
For more information on bereavement
skills training, please call us at 410-871-8000
Healing After Loss
The healthiest way to heal from your
own grief is to deal with the pain so that you can continue
to have a rich and fulfilled life. Grief literature is a
helpful tool for many bereaved families. Understanding that
you are not alone in your grief by relating to others who
have experienced similar grief reactions can help ease the
sting.
At BridgingLife, we often recommend
books and handouts by author and grief expert, Alan Wolfelt,
Ph.D. His books and articles can be found at the McGinnis
Bereavement Resource Center located in Dove House.
These books by Dr. Wolfelt have been
helpful for bereaved families:
-
The Paradoxes of Mourning:
Healing Your Grief with Three Forgotten Truths
A reminder that it is important to welcome our
natural grief
-
The Mourner’s Book of Courage:
30 Days of Encouragement
Follows a 30-day format of encouraging words and
activities
-
Healing Your Grieving Heart:
100 Practical Ideas
Features compassionate advice and simple activities
to help you through your loss
-
The Understanding Your Grief
Journal: Exploring the Ten Essential Touchstones
A companion workbook to the book Understanding Your
Grief designed to help explore the many facets of
grief through journaling
-
Loving from the Outside In,
Mourning from the Inside Out explores what love and
grief have in common and invites the reader to mourn
well in order to go on to live and love well again
Helpful grief articles by Dr. Wolfelt
include:
-
The Capacity to Love the
Reason We Grieve
-
The Spiritual Path to Healing:
Mourning Ideas
-
Helping Yourself Heal When
Your Spouse Dies
-
Helping Yourself Heal When
Your Parent Dies
-
Helping Yourself Heal When
Your Child Dies
Dr. Wolfelt’s website also offers
helpful resources for those who are grieving. Please take
time to view this website and read some of his grief
literature.
Spiritual Resources
BridgingLife strives to ensure your
spiritual needs are met during this difficult time. In
addition, our inpatient facility in Westminster, Dove House,
provides a multi-faith chapel for patients and their
families. Hospice chaplains are trained to work with
patients, families and caregivers of all faith backgrounds
and beliefs, they are also trained to work with individuals
and families who do not identify with any belief system.
Hospice chaplains help patients,
families and caregivers find ways to reduce stress, engage
in self-care and add meaning to the final stage of life. For
more information, please call 410-871-8000
Home Hospice Care
Serving patients in Carroll,
Baltimore
and Frederick counties, Baltimore City and portions of
Pennsylvania
Hospice chaplains help patients,
families and caregivers find ways to reduce stress, engage
in self-care and add meaning to the final stage of life. For
more information, please call 410-871-8000.
Inpatient Hospice Care
Hospice patients are brought to a
BridgingLife inpatient unit for symptom and pain management
that cannot be controlled at home or in another care
setting. The inpatient unit allows 24/7 care and monitoring
of the medication changes to ensure symptoms are being
managed appropriately.
Stays in the inpatient unit are
typically short term, and once symptoms have been managed,
the patient can return to his or her own residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can families stay with the
patient?
Yes, the patient’s family is encouraged to stay with their
loved one. Each patient room has sleeping accommodations for
family members, and all of the units have a dining area and
lounge. Patient rooms also include private bathrooms.
Will our doctor still be
involved with our family member’s care?
Yes. Your physician can be as involved as much as they
choose. If requested, we will keep your doctor informed of
your family member’s status and any changes that may occur.
Our hospice physicians and certified nurse practitioners
will also make rounds daily on all patients.
Who pays for inpatient
services?
Hospice coverage is widely available and covered by all
insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid and the VA.
BridgingLife is a nonprofit organization that provides
hospice care services to all individuals in need, regardless
of insurance coverage or financial situation. No one is
refused or denied hospice care, and every patient receives
the same level of high-quality service.
We Honor Veterans
BridgingLife, formerly Carroll
Hospice, is proud to be a part of We Honor Veterans, a
program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care
Organization. This partnership, between BridgingLife, the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the community,
promotes services, education and recognition for all
veterans and their families.
Volunteers make the difference.
Military veteran hospice patients are paired with a military
veteran hospice volunteer to support them at the end of
life. BridgingLife has achieved Level Five status in the
program, the highest designation available, for its efforts
in addressing the specialized needs of veteran hospice
patients and honoring their service to the country.
How You Can Help
Support our mission of honoring out veterans at the end of
their lives by making a donation to BridgingLife's We Honor
Veterans program. Call 410-871-7220 for more information.
Patient Resources
Please contact our team at 410-871-8000 if you have any
questions.
Local, State & National Resources
The following is a list of local,
state and national resources featuring helpful information
for older adults and their families:
-
The Carroll County Bureau of Aging
and Disabilities plans, advocates and
develops programs and services for older adults age
60 and older and coordinates services and referrals
for adults with disabilities 18 years and older.
-
The Maryland Department of Aging
and Disabilities offers information about
services and programs for older Marylanders and
their families.
-
Maryland Medical Orders for
Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)
provides information on planning for health care,
including medical decision making and end-of-life
decisions.
-
Hospice Network of
Maryland
is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to
promote quality end-of-life care and provides
information on hospice care.
-
The Maryland Attorney General’s
site features information about Advance Directives,
a legal document that dictates your health care
wishes if you are unable to express those wishes,
and Carroll
Hospital's website
features a link where you can download an
Advance Directive.
-
The
National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
is the largest nonprofit membership organization
representing hospice and palliative care programs in
the United States. NHPCOs goal is to profoundly
enhance the quality of life for people dying in
America and their loved ones by improving
end-of-life-care and expanding access to hospice
care.
-
Caring Connections
is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative
Care Organization (NHPCO). This national consumer
and community engagement initiative is designed to
improve end-of-life care.
LOCATIONS
BridgingLife Administrative Office
292 Stoner Avenue
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: 410-871-8000
TTY: 410-871-7186
Fax: 410-871-7186
Intake Fax: 410-871-7216 / 866-530-2046
Inpatient Care Units
Dove House
292 Stoner Avenue
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: 410-871-8000
Northwest Hospital
5401 Old Court Road
Randallstown, MD 21133
Phone: 410-701-4565
Sinai Hospital
2401 W. Belvedere Ave.
Randallstown, MD 21133
Phone: 410-601-1702