Remembering a Resident’s Grandmother

Ashley Mullins, C.A.T.S. Program Clinical Specialist

Last week we were made aware that B’s grandmother passed away out of state. Surrounded by her treatment team, B was given a safe space to receive difficult news and grieve. B was asked if she wanted to use some art supplies to create something to honor her grandmother. As she created, B shared some happy memories of her grandmother and eventually smiled. B was asked if she would like to have a small memorial service to honor her grandmother. Wednesday her Wendy’s worker was able commute to campus as well as her grandfather. We decided not to tell B that her grandfather could come so we could stage a surprise!

As the door opened to the visitation area and B saw her grandfather, she ran to him falling into his arms. We placed a framed picture of her grandmother on a picnic table in the backyard and gathered in a circle as B read words about her grandmother. When B felt she could not read anymore, her treatment coordinator took the notebook and finished her words. She and her therapist placed a flower in the ground together. B thanked her staff and family for coming to the memorial and took pictures with her grandfather before saying goodbye.

So often our residents do not have the opportunity to be a part of family events like the death of a loved one. This can cause them to lack a sense of closure that is part of the grieving process. We here at Home of the Innocents are so happy that we had the opportunity to support B through this difficult time and honor her grandmother with her.