Online Bereavement Support Group – Information & Guidelines

Support Group Purpose and Goals

• Groups are facilitated by Hazel Burns Hospice and Alzheimer Society Toronto and are made up of individual members who are grieving; this group meets to provide participants with an opportunity to support each other through the grief and bereavement process. Both practical and emotional needs will be explored to help participants cope with a loss.
• Learning objectives: Opportunity to share insights and experiences related to personal caregiving experiences, as well as grief and bereavement; Learn from others on adjusting to the loss and their own changing relationship to self and others; Discuss and share strategies regarding selfcare including discussion on stages of grief (various frameworks), finding meaning and exploring feelings related to loss and loneliness; Receive updated information on where to seek additional supports if desired.

Confidentiality & Respect

• Confidentiality is paramount; personal information is not discussed outside the group and there is no audio/video recording or photographing of the group or group members
• Kindly respect all group members and the facilitator(s); everyone has different values, experiences, and resources; a member may not agree with a choice or view of another member and that’s okay – remember the objective of the group is mutual support. 

Group Members’ Pledge

• We have the right to share as much or as little as we are comfortable
• We agree to confidentiality and respect; we are considerate of each other
• We listen carefully to others while they are speaking without distraction, interruption, judgement or unsolicited advice
• We affirm how we feel; it’s okay to cry, to become angry, or to laugh
• We can reach out to the group facilitators if we feel unsafe or dislike something about this experience
• We share our time together; we give everyone time to talk; we begin and end on time
• We are aware of Alzheimer Society Toronto policies here (https://alz.to/accountability/#tab-9daf451b69bca6410b0)

Preparing & Arriving for Group

• Members are asked to join five minutes early to ensure time to settle in and troubleshoot any individual technical issues before the session begins; members may display their first name; members will be admitted from a virtual waiting room once it is time to start the group; groups start promptly and members who arrive late without prior notice may be unable to join
• There is no designated break time; however, breaks can be taken as needed (including an “audio only” break)
• Cameras are encouraged (with a focus on head/shoulders) but it is understood that’s not always possible
• Microphones are to be muted when members are not speaking to help minimize background noise
• It is recommended that members familiarize themselves with Zoom (https://zoom.us/) and choose a space that is close to a wired/wireless internet connection, if possible, to prevent/limit interruption to sound and picture; it might also be helpful to close any other windows/applications running on your computer