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Acclaim Health volunteers can help with grieving by Bob Mitchell Special to the Beaver 13 | Friday, August 28, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Sometimes just talking with another person who understands your grief can make a world of difference, says Mary Schnurr, a bereavement specialist. She works for Acclaim Health and the organization is seeking volunteers to serve as bereavement peer support workers. "Having a volunteer listen to you and support you can make a huge difference in your ability to heal," Schnurr said. "A volunteer can help you find ways to continue on despite your loss." Such volunteers are urgently needed in Halton, Schnurr said. In seeking volunteers, Schnurr told a story about how Acclaim Health was able to match Pat Patterson with volunteer Gail Klassen. Patterson's adult daughter died just more than a year ago from sarcoidosis while waiting for a lung transplant. "I was having terrible nightmares," Patterson said. "My daughter was the one I talked to about things, and then she was gone. "I was having a hard time. You don't expect to lose your children." Acclaim Health is a registered charity that has provided client-based community health and support services to Halton residents for more than 85 years. The organization offers programs for people Pat Patterson's daughter died just over a year ago while waiting for a lung transplant. Patterson was matched with an Acclaim Health volunteer to help her cope with the grief. | photo by Bob Mitchell ­ special to the Beaver with dementia as well as support and education for those caring for people with dementia. Available services include in-home nursing care, personal care, volunteer visiting programs, telephone visiting, hospice visiting, bereavement support and palliative care consultation for service providers. Klassen and Patterson met weekly at Patterson's home where she shared her story in a safe and caring place, Schnurr said. Patterson said Klassen's visits tremendously. helped "Gail listened to me," Patterson said. "That's what helped... I'd be a lot worse, but I can handle it now." The death of someone close to you can have a significant impact on your life, Schnurr said. "Left un-reconciled, grief can significantly impact a person's mental, physical and emotional health," she continued. "If you're a compassionate listener, and have experienced your own significant loss in the past, this is a very meaningful way to help a fellow human being through a dark time in their lives." Training and ongoing support are provided. Volunteers are carefully matched with a bereaved person, and meet once a week with their client for one to two hours each time at a mutually convenient location. The next training sessions for anyone wishing to become a Bereavement Peer Support Volunteer will begin this fall from 1-4 p.m. at the Milton Sports Centre, 605 Santa Maria Blvd., in Milton. The training sessions run for eight weeks. Schnurr can be reached at Acclaim Health at mschnurr@acclaimhealth.ca or 905-827-8800, ext. 2319. n ow o f f e r i n g P h ys i ot h e r a P y o s t eo Pat h y at h l e t i c t h e r a P y oakvillesportsmedicinecentre.ca 905 337 8455 DIAMOND Need To Sell An Older Home? Call Us First! MA XIMIZE YOUR SELLING PRICE WITH E A SY TRIED & TRUE SOLUTIONS GOLD DIAMOND Often, the right inexpensive changes can make all the difference. Let us show you how! · Learn which reno's are the most profitable! · Avoid wasting your time & money. · 16+ years of experience. · 100's of homes sold. BAEU LER APPRO ED B O O K A F R E E C O N S U LTAT I O N Cory Martin 2512 Old Bronte Rd. SE c/o Bronte & Dundas, Oakville BROKER Glenn Martin BROKER OF RECORD 905.827.3331 905-334-9195 MARTIN GROUP