By: Hanna Nakano
All the things we love about the holidays—the lights, the music, the food—can become painfully overwhelming for those who have suffered a great loss.
Whether the loss is recent or happened a long time ago, the American Psychiatric Association confirms it is normal for grief to heighten, and even feel overwhelming during the holiday season.
If you’ve interacted with hospice care in this area, you’ve likely crossed paths with YoloCares. The non-profit helps hundreds of families process end-of-life care and bereavement every year. What’s different about YoloCares than some other hospice services, though, is their commitment to continuing community care and healing through grief support.
With offerings both online and in the real world, YoloCares meets those in grief where they are. Their support includes a wide range of programs for adults, teens, and children at no cost to the participant—their commitment to the common good.
The Dirt sat down with Debra Chapman and Elisa Stone of YoloCares to get a better understanding of who their offerings are for and how to access them. Here is a selection of services and support offered by YoloCares that may help you find comfort this holiday season, and beyond.
Center for Loss & Hope
Offering community and client grief support and death education. Services include support groups, book clubs, events, education & more. Also includes YoloCares for Kids program.
Center for Caregiver Support
Provides Caregiver Retreats, Education, and Respite Care, including their Adult Day Program @ Galileo Place, which is open Monday through Friday from 7:30a—5:30p, and Saturday Clubs, a twice monthly weekend respite program.
Advance Care Planning
YoloCares offers public and private group workshops on Advance Care Planning so you can feel confident in your healthcare and lifestyle decisions. This process is not just for older adults; anyone over the age of 18 can make these decisions.
Senior Peer Companions
A way to provide connection. Volunteer-run program connects aging peers in support of life changes through loss, aging, and isolation.
Yolo Cares University
An educational resource for clinicians and employees of partner facilities with opportunities for clinicians to obtain Continuing Education Units. The Quintessential Care Summit gathers students, healthcare professionals, and community members for connection, education, and understanding of barriers to accessing end-of-life care.
YoloCares is located at 1909 Galileo Court in Davis and serves Yolo, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, & Colusa Counties. Visit yolocares.org for more information.
Happening This Month:
DEC 1: Queer Grief Support Group
DEC 4: Outliving Your Adult Child
DEC 4: Anticipatory Loss Support Group
DEC 4: The Five Invitations Book Club
DEC 5: Adults Supporting Children in Loss
DEC 5: Men’s Grief Group
DEC 7: Caregiver Support Group
DEC 7: Adult Bereavement Support Group
DEC 11: Anticipatory Loss Support Group
DEC 11: The Five Invitations Book Club
DEC 14: Grief at the Holidays
DEC 14: Adult Bereavement Support Group
DEC 15: The Five Invitations Book Club
DEC 15: Queer Grief Support Group
DEC 18: Anticipatory Loss Support Group
DEC 19: Adults Supporting Children in Loss
DEC 20: Child Loss Support Group
DEC 21: Adult Bereavement Support Group
DEC 25: Anticipatory Loss Support Group
DEC 28: Adult Bereavement Support Group
DEC 29: Queer Grief Support Group
kyle, i’m not exactly sure how to do this part. should I reformat the dates?
