Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) facilities are once again offering memory trees this holiday season, providing patients, residents, families and visitors with a meaningful way to honour loved ones who have passed away.
A memory tree at an Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority facility offers a quiet place for patients, residents and visitors to honour loved ones who have passed away during the holiday season
As in previous years, IERHA’s palliative care program is setting up memory trees in public spaces across the region, inviting people to place card ornaments in remembrance during what can be a difficult time of year.
Lorraine Schmidt, a palliative care volunteer coordinator with IERHA, said the trees offer a gentle and supportive way for people to acknowledge their grief.
“When we experience a significant loss, it’s important to do what we can to experience our grief in a way that will help us heal,” Schmidt said. “Sometimes honouring those we are grieving during the holiday season can be helpful.”
With support from companion volunteers, community groups and other regional health authority staff, memory trees have been placed in several communities. The public is invited to honour the memory of loved ones at trees located at Arborg Hospital and PCH, Ashern Hospital and PCH, Eriksdale Hospital, Fisher Branch Hospital and PCH, Gimli Hospital; Lundar PCH, Selkirk Regional Health Centre; St. Laurent Community Health Office, Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall, Stonewall & District library, Goodwin Lodge PCH in Teulon, and the Teulon library.
Schmidt noted that the holiday season can be particularly challenging for those who are grieving, since celebrations often centre on family and togetherness.
“During the holiday season when so much focus is on family, it can be difficult for people who are grieving to feel like celebrating,” she said. “These meaningful gestures and letting people know that grieving is OK is very important around any special day or time of year when our sorrow is heightened.”
Public and facility memory trees are now set up, with card ornaments and grief resources for all ages available at each location.
IERHA also reminds residents that mental health support is available year-round. Online mental health resources can be accessed at www.ierha.ca/programs-services/mental-health/ and the regional health authority operates a 24-hour crisis line at 1-866-427-8628.
In the spirit of giving, IERHA is also encouraging community members to consider seniors living in personal care homes. All personal care homes in the region welcome holiday greeting cards and small gifts, which can be sent directly to the recreation department at each facility. Contact information for personal care homes is available at www.ierha.ca/find-us/.
Throughout December, staff across the region also host resident and family Christmas dinners or teas, offering opportunities for residents, families and staff to celebrate together. On Dec. 25, all personal care homes in the region will prepare a Christmas dinner for residents.
