County organizations to offer grieving and caregiver classes

In recognition of the specific challenges that certain groups of people are living with on a daily basis, several Phillips County organizations have decided to have a collaborative effort to bring a series of support and education groups to our community for your benefit.

“We appreciate Dr. Edwin Medina for encouraging us to include grief support and a caregivers group,” said Janice Reichelt, project coordinator.

Pastor Joe Haney, representing the Ministerial Association, will host the first of six- week sessions on grief, starting on Tuesday, February 2 at the Phillips County Health Clinic’s meeting room from 3 to 4 p.m.

Reichelt, an R.N. from Phillips County Hospital Home and Community Based Services, will host the second series on Caregiving and Coping, starting on Tuesday, March 15 at the Phillips County Hospital's meeting room for the next six weeks. Respite caregivers will be available to allow freedom for the caregivers to participate.

Jenny Tollefson, R.N. representing the Phillips County Public Health Department, will be hosting the third class/support group aimed at assisting persons with cancer and other debilitating diseases to cope with their conditions and the side effects of the treatments associated, including depression. Tollefson has extensive experience in the chemotherapy administration area of nursing. Her classes will begin on April

26, 2016 and continue weekly for six weeks.

The last segment incorporates the name of the project "Get on the Bus.” It is an interactive project that focuses on having people live well, especially those with mental illness. Reichelt, also the Local Advisory Chair, will oversee the weekly activities on the Phillips Transit Authority. The weekly events will include education, nutrition, information on services available, exercise and building of social relationships. It will begin on June 7 at 3 p.m. Please RSVP to the Phillips County Home Health office at 406-654-1100 Ext. 5161 and we will pick you up for an hour of fun!

If you know of someone that needs a special invitation to any of these sessions, please let us know. Follow- up visits will be available for individuals that need extra assistance that is identified in the group situation. All expenses have been budgeted for within the grant and no participatory fees are required.

The grant making these classes possible was provided by the Eastern Service Area Authority and the Phillips County organizations involved in teaching the classes are; the Phillips County Hospital and Home and Community Services, the Ministerial Association, the Phillips County Health Department, the Local Advisory Council for Mental Illness, and the Phillips Transit Authority.

Together we will make a difference!