Sean C. Morgan
Avamere Twin Oaks of Sweet Home and Signature Hospice of Eugene will host a general memorial service on Feb. 12 for a staff member and residents who died last year.
Twin Oaks, located on Nandina Street, is a health and rehabilitation center for seniors. Signature Hospice receives referrals for potential hospice care from Twin Oaks.
Stephen Dietrich, Signature’s spiritual care coordinator, will preside over the memorial service. The service begins at 2 p.m. at the Jim Riggs Community Center. Community Center doors open at 1:30 p.m.
“What this stems from, Twin Oaks actually had a staff member they lost last year,” said Holleigh Cain, Signature’s bereavement coordinator. “It was hard on the staff, and it was hard on the residents.”
Along the way, the care facility also lost residents, Cain said. That’s difficult on staff members too, because they work with them day in and day out.
At the memorial, the staff, along with family members, can honor the residents they’ve lost, Cain said. “It gives them an opportunity to connect with the family members. There’s several different reasons this came about.”
Formal invitations have been sent to family members, Cain said, but it’s open to community members who knew Twin Oaks residents.
Twin Oaks Director of Nursing Services Becky Wilson and Administrator John Buckley have been the driving force behind the memorial service. The service is one part of a bigger process, Cain said. Twin Oaks and Signature would like to offer support to families and others affected by grief.
For more information about bereavement support or help in finding a support group, call local hospice providers or contact Signature at (541) 689-3508.