A Garden for Healing Grief

Center for Hospice Care will create a Healing Garden on its campus in Norwich, which will provide people in New London County a sanctuary of tranquility and rejuvenation where they can work through their loss and grief.

As the organization’s President/CEO Carol Mahier notes, “Center for Hospice Care considers the whole family to be our unit of care, which means that in addition to providing hospice and palliative care to our patients, we support their families in grieving their passing.  Our Community Bereavement Center annually serves more than 500 people in Southeast Connecticut, including those whose loved ones were not in our care.  For this rapidly growing part of our work, the Healing Garden will be an important resource, providing a place where people can obtain comfort and uplift.”  Research studies have shown that spending time outside in a garden or healing landscape positively affects a person’s emotions and improves their sense of well-being -- results born-out by measurements of lowered blood pressure, increased absorption of Vitamin D, and improved balance in circadian rhythms.

As designed by Kelly Sisk of Oasis Gardens, Center for Hospice Care’s Healing Garden will engage all the senses -- with colorful flowers and Zen-garden sand patterns for the eye, aromatic herbs and traditionally therapeutic plants for the nose, and a centerpiece waterfall-sculpture for the ear.  In addition to these traditional elements, the garden will have unique features that address the special needs of people in the community.  For children in Hospice’s bereavement programs, there will be a lawn for gathering in play, which will also feature a large xylophone/chimes for them to make music –kids in Hospice’s Expressive Arts program will help select the instrument.  There will also be a small vegetable garden for adults and children to learn and harvest from.  And to honor veterans, the garden will feature a Vets Commemorative Rock with an inscribed plaque, beside a flagpole.  For help in planting and maintaining the garden, Hospice plans to engage the region’s Master Gardeners, garden clubs, and other volunteers.

Mahier points out that “We want the Healing Garden to be a community resource, open to everyone who needs a place to find peace or meditate on the loss of a loved one.”

To pay for the Healing Garden, Center for Hospice Care will raise $100,000 in a mini-capital campaign.  Plans call for completion and opening of the Healing Garden next summer, with a community celebration and blessing.

About Center for Hospice Care

Center for Hospice Care is the new name for Hospice SECT.  Since our founding in 1985, we have served more than 10,000 patients. We are the largest hospice in Southeast Connecticut and the only nonprofit hospice that focuses exclusively on New London County.  We are also the only provider that delivers all the care and services needed by patients and their families – including extended group/individual bereavement counseling to anyone who needs it. Our staff is the most qualified and experienced in the field and is augmented by more than 100 specially trained volunteers who provide companionship to our patients and respite to their families. Center for Hospice Care is the only regional hospice affiliated with both Lawrence + Memorial and The William W. Backus Hospitals. With Center for Hospice Care, every moment matters.