By Melissa Waugh, MS, Grief Support Specialist

Did you ever imagine meeting with a Grief Support Specialist via telehealth? Probably not before the current pandemic, especially if you are not comfortable with technology. Perhaps your loved one handled all of the technology issues in your life and at the moment, you feel overwhelmed with the idea of taking on something new such as a telehealth visit. This reluctance is normal.

The good news is telehealth is not as difficult as it sounds. In fact, most people find the technology is actually easy and convenient.

People who use telehealth agree that it allows them to participate in Grief Support Services without driving to an office, and with no exposure in a waiting room. If they are not at home, they can log on remotely. Most feel that it is much easier to use than anticipated.

Some people now use a similar program to meet with their medical doctor for follow-up visits. Often, telehealth allows clients to participate in ways that an office visit wouldn’t allow, such as showing family pictures on their walls, their loved one’s dog or cat, or artwork that they or their loved one created. One person took their tablet outside to share the sounds of the birds in the memorial garden they had planted.

Set-Up Tips for Telehealth

It is important to choose a location for your visit where you can talk privately with few interruptions.

• All you need for a telehealth visit is an internet connection and a device such as a home computer with a microphone and camera, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone.
• You will receive an email with the weblink www.doxy.me attached to the telehealth program.
• Practice logging in a few days prior to your appointment so that you can perform a test to determine if your camera and microphone are compatible.
• If you use your phone for the visit, use a phone holder or lean the phone against something in order to keep it steady during the session. That will allow you to be free to talk without trying to hold your phone steady.
• Make sure your device is fully charged or plugged in. Video calls consume more energy, so you want to be prepared.
• If you decide you want to try telehealth, call 816.363.2600 and ask for Grief Support Services. Grief Support Specialists are also available for phone visits.

Visit our website: kchospice.org/grief and explore online grief support articles. If you prefer to listen rather than read, podcasts about grief are also available.

Always remember that Grief Support Services is here for you. While we are happy that we have telehealth and online services to offer, we look forward to the time when we can once again provide in-person groups and support.

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