Families Cope With Loss of Loved Ones

By

StateCollege.com Staff

–

November 26, 2013 – 6:30 pm

Local News, State College, StateCollege.com

For anyone who has lost a family member or loved one, the holidays can be a rough time. And even though it doesn’t heal all the pain, the Home Nursing Agency is trying to do its part to help those people.

The agency sponsored the second annual Lights of Love event in State College Monday night. Families and hospice workers gathered at the intersection of South Atherton Street and Scenery Drive to light a Christmas tree to honor their loved ones’ memories.

Lisa Korman, director of operations at the Home Nursing Agency, says the event started at the agency’s corporate office and Altoona, and eventually spread to offices in other counties.

“It’s a way to help families get through the holiday season,” Korman says. “It’s a way to get them back in touch with members of the program.”

Katie Kensinger, customer relations coordinator with the agency, says the tree’s blue and white lights aren’t just because of Penn State.

“The blue symbolizes hope in grief, and the white is for the memories of those who have died,” Kensinger says.

Some in attendance have given much of their time to helping out with hospice patients.

Betsy Brett, a social worker who mostly works with hospice patients, says the event is supposed to be the flip side of grief. It is supposed to remind people how those they have lost were once a great source of joy in their lives.

She also says that there are two bereavement services the agency offers. One is for people who have recently lost someone, and the other is for people who have been dealing with the grief of a loved one for a while. People can find out more about the services by calling 814-237-1404.

“I just feel very fortunate I get to work with such courageous strong patients,” Brett says.

Penn State Basketball: Nittany Lions Look To Make It Four Straight Tuesday Night