Community Education Program
Since 1981, Mercy Care has been privileged to serve the families of Horry, Georgetown, and Marion counties at times of their greatest need—when terminal illness strikes. As the premier not-for-profit hospice in the area, many of you may have already used our services or know people who have.
There is so much more to us that we want to share with you! CARETALK is a free outreach service of lectures and seminars to churches, civic organizations, and community groups.
A variety of topics address end of life and grief and loss issues:
Presentations Available
- Hospice 101: Living Well at the End of Life
A presentation to acquaint you with the basic philosophy of hospice care as well as services offered, such as nursing, certified nurse aids, social work, spiritual, bereavement, and volunteers. Who is eligible for hospice care is addressed as well as, Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance issues.
- Palliative Care: Living Well with a Chronic Illness
Living each day to its fullest is so important for people with a debilitating chronic illness. Palliative care treats pain and other physical symptoms, as well as emotional and spiritual concerns. This presentation discusses the difference between hospice care and palliative care, who is eligible for palliative care, who pays, where these services are provided, and who provides this type of service.
- Advance Directives: Living Wills and Health Care Power of Attorney
An important and informative discussion regarding your health care choices in the event you become incapacitated.
- Understanding the Grief Process
A presentation that addresses the grief and loss issues that everyone experiences. The presentation is appropriate for churches, senior centers, and civic clubs.
- Children in Grief
Children are often called the “forgotten grievers” in a family, but they experience many of the same emotions that adults experience. It is important to know how to help children deal with their grief. Unresolved grief can lead to emotional problems in young people even years later and these problems can create many challenges to overcome. This presentation identifies grief and loss issues for children and teens when they experience the death of a loved one. Parents are given assistance on how to help children cope with the loss of a loved one.
- Communication/Spiritual Issues
Often we are reluctant to reach out to those who are grieving because we do not know what to say or what to do. Appropriate responses are discussed so that we feel more at ease in ministering to the bereaved.
Healing Grief Support Groups
Support groups sponsored by Mercy Care are held throughout the Grand Strand.
Loran Bulla, Chaplain
Ph: 843-347-5500 | Fx: 843-347-5535
lbulla@mercyhospice.org
The following support groups participate in our Bereavement Ministries Program:
Healing Grief Support Groups (Conway, SC)- First Baptist Church
603 Elm Street
843-248-4067
- Homewood Baptist
3290 Hwy 319
843-365-3403
- St. James Catholic Church
1071 Academy Drive
843-347-5168
- St. Michaels Catholic Church
Cypress Avenue, Garden City
843-651-3737
- Trinity Methodist Church
706 14th Avenue South
843-272-5236
- Risen Christ Lutheran Church
10595 Hwy 17 North
843-272-5845
- Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
410 6th Avenue South
843-249-2312
- Socastee United Methodist Church
5575 Dick Pond Rd
843-650-3373
- St. Andrew Catholic Church
503 37th Avenue North
843-448-5930
- Ocean View Baptist Church
7300 N. Kings Hwy
843-449-3384
- Myrtle Beach Senior Center
21st Avenue North
843-626-3991
"To Mend a Broken Heart" Bereavement Training Program
The Mercy Care Bereavement Training for lay people in churches, "To Mend a Broken Heart", is designed for church members who would like to be better informed about grief and loss issues or who feel called to minister to members of the church family who have lost a loved one. The course explains the grieving process for adults and children, develops communication skills, addresses spiritual issures, and suggests resources that churches can provide for the bereaved. The course is usually held in two sessions, 2 hours each session.- Workshop: "Developing a Bereavement Ministry in the Church"
The practical aspects of developing a bereavement ministry is discussed, i.e., visits, phone calls, correspondence ministry, support groups, and other resources that are available to the bereaved.
- Workshop: "Understanding the Grief Process"
Grief, with its many ups and downs, last far longer than those in society recognizes. Each person’s grief is unique to that person. There are physical, emotional, and spiritual reactions to the death of a loved one. We are able to go through the grief process in a more healthy manner when we understand what we, or others that we are ministering to, are experiencing.
- Workshop: "Gender Differences"
Often there are significant differences in the way that men and women handle the grief process. An understanding of these differences enables more effective communication, rather than the conflict that may result between spouses when differences are misunderstood.
- Workshop: "Communication/Spiritual Issues"
Often we are reluctant to reach out to those who are grieving because we do not know what to say or what to do. Appropriate responses are discussed so that we feel more at ease in ministering to the bereaved.
Advance Directives
All of us make plans for important events in our lives. How we would like to receive care at the end of life is an important decision that should be addressed. Sharing our thoughts and feelings about our health care wishes for the future are gifts we can give ourselves and our family. This kind of planning is referred to as "advance care planning".
Ask yourself:
- How do I want to be treated physically, emotionally, and spiritually at the end of life?
- What medical treatments do I want or do not want?
- Who would make medical decisions for me if I was incapacitated and could not make them?
- If there was no hope for recovery, would I want my life prolonged with heroic medical measures even if quality of life was not possible?
- Discuss these important decisions with your family, your pastor, your physician, and a lawyer if you would like legal advice. However, these documents are legal without an attorney.
Blood Pressure Screening
Mercy Care performs free Blood Pressure Screenings at community health fairs on a routine basis. We distribute free handy wallet-sized blood pressure cards that allow you to keep track of your readings, as well as other important health information that could prove to be critical should you find yourself in an emergency situation in which you are not able to speak for yourself.
One of our experienced Hospice nurses will be on hand to take your blood pressure, distribute literature, and answer any questions you may have about our services.
Arranging for a CARETALK presentation is easy. Simply call the number below or email me with you needs and schedule.
- Dennis Wolterding, Community Education Manager
- Ph: 843-347-5500 | Fx: 843-347-5535
- dwolterding@mercyhospice.org