When a person loses his or her keys, the solution is simple attach a beeping device that will help locate them. When a person loses a loved one, the answer is not as easy.
But Christine Cary, director of the Town of Colonie Senior Resources Department, was determined to design a community-based program to provide comfort for those who have endured difficulty in dealing with the death of someone close.
Transitions, a monthly support group for seniors and caregivers that meets at the William K. Sanford Library, was born through one simple solution: Take a person who has suffered a loss, add a room full of peers who have also suffered from a similar grief, and you are left with a room filled with compassion and understanding.
Cary, who calls the program her baby,` said she had noticed an unmet need for a cost-free monthly support group for people who were finding it hard to cope with the loss of pivotal figures in their lives, most of whom are seniors and caregivers throughout Colonie. After a loss, she explained, a caregiver’s functions end, and many do not know how to deal with the sudden change and move on.
`When people are caregiving, they become isolated and they lose the support and the friendships that they’ve had throughout their lives,` she said. `Being able to deal with what you’re going through and what you’re coping with is hard.`
As the group approaches its two-year anniversary, Cary said, Transitions has seen a very successful turnout.
`In the winter months, when there are a lot of illnesses, we usually have around six people in the group, sometimes nine. Typically I’d say we have between five and 10 people at each meeting. We do it as a town service; it’s free and it’s supported by our town supervisor, and it’s just another effort to reach out,` she said.
According to Albany County Department of Aging spokeswoman Maureen Murphy, the hour-and-a-half meetings, which take place every fourth Wednesday of the month, are partially funded by the county. `The county gave the town $2,143 for the 12 Transitions support group meetings from April 1, 2007, to March 31, which includes administration costs and refreshments,` she said.
While there is no age or gender criteria for those wishing to attend the group, Cary said that meetings are typically made up of both men and women ` many of whom are over age 50.
While grief is typically associated with sadness, anger, fear, guilt and depression, for some people, the death of a significant other or close friend could create confusion and distress that crosses over the emotional realm into the physical.
As Cary pointed out, grief can be intensified based on situational circumstances.
`For example, sometimes women never really had to deal with paying household bills or taking care of maintaining a vehicle. Through peer support that is provided through this group, we try to work on some of those issues, as well as others,` she said.
`Transitions only gathers at William K. Sanford Library once a month, but the support its members receive extend long past the conclusion of its meetings.
`When I see people leaving and talking and exchanging numbers,` said Cary, `I know they’re going to continue to support each other.“