Shore Medical Center offers 2 new support groups for veterans, grief, loss and aging

Karen Malita

SOMERS POINT Shore Medical Center Center for Family Caregivers is expanding to reach more people with the addition of two new virtual monthly support groups: Caring Together, Living Well and Vet 2 Vet Café.

Caring Together, Living Well is designed to support people through a wide variety of life's challenges and changes, from grief and loss to staying active and healthy as you age. Sessions are held the second Wednesday each month at 3pm and all are accessible via Zoom at https://bit.ly/3ehGawN at the time of the session.

Upcoming Caring Together, Living Well session topics include:

Ken Jackson

• Wednesday, Jan 12, 3-4 p.m.: Good Grief: How to Live After Any Loss - Presented by Angelic Health and facilitated by their Bereavement Counselor and Spiritual Care Coordinator, Ken Jackson, who will discuss many types of grief, from the death of a loved one to loss of identity, retirement and independence challenges. Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3ehGawN


• Wednesday, Feb. 9, 3-4 p.m.: Getting Older without Getting Old - This session is for people who are retired from work but not from life and looking for support in maintaining interests and energy as they age. This session is presented by Angelic Health's Hospice Social Worker Shalini Basu, LSW who offers her unique and professional insights. Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3ehGawN

Shalini Basu

Wednesday, March 9, 3-4 p.m.: Music and Memories can Keep You Young - Do you find yourself thinking of your high school dances when you hear certain songs?  Music makes powerful memories which can lift our mood.  Learn why, and how our songs from our youth can make for a better today, and tomorrow. Presented by Angelic Health's Karen Dennery Melita, MMT, MT-BC, certified music therapist.

Vet 2 Vet Café is offered 1-2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month and is designed as a space where veterans can connect, tell stories of service and assist one another in a supportive environment. It is facilitated by John Prutting, Veterans Outreach Coordinator for Angelic Health, who is a two-times Operation Enduring Freedom veteran with eight years of military service. Prutting understands the specific needs and wants of other veterans.

• The next session is Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1-2 p.m. and those interested can join the Zoom link at https://bit.ly/3EjRZgv.

For information on these support groups, or for those seeking support from a Caregiver Coach to help them cope with the challenges of caring for a loved one, contact a Shore Caregiver Coach at 609-653-3969 or by email at [email protected].

You can also learn more about the Caregiver Center at https://shoremedicalcenter.org/center-family-caregivers. You can find all of Shore's support groups and more at www.shoremedicalcenter.org/events.