The Prince George Hospice Society is in the works of offering a free COVID-19 Survivor Support program.
The idea for the group came after a number of COVID-19 survivors reached out to the non-profit while dealing with the mental and physical impacts of surviving the virus.
“The effects of COVID have been described as if the ageing process was accelerated by 20 years,” explained PG Hospice Executive Director, Donna Flood, “with this new disease, there are many unknowns and people are unsure if their health will improve or get worse.”
She explained there is a serious psychological impact and people often become isolated from friends and family while enduring the sickness alone.
With over 3,100 survivors in Northern Health, some have also developed lung, heart or other organ issues as well, which has drastically impacted their quality of life.
A COVID-19 Survivor Support program would offer a space for survivors to share their stories, alleviate any shame and trigger their healing process.
“When people get an opportunity it’s incredibly empowering to them, and we don’t want this disease to become an unknown,” explained Denise Torgenson, Prince George Hospice Community Program Manager.
PG Hospice Society is now looking for feedback from survivors as to what they think would be the most beneficial for them.
Flood explained that they could potentially use Zoom for group support calls, which would expand the program’s reach past the PG city limits and help those in other Northern communities.
Within the past year, the Hospice Society has developed other free support programs for mothers mourning the loss of their child to a miscarriage and drug overdose.
The group could provide similar 1 on 1 and group counselling services for COVID-19 survivors, according to Torgenson.
“This is a new health issue and we just want to ensure that people know we are here to create a safe space for people to come and share their stories, listen, and support others that experienced, and are experiencing similar feelings,” said Flood.
The @PGHospice is now reaching out for feedback on the possibility of starting a COVID-19 survivor support program. This comes after many survivors have suffered some long term physical and mental effected such as guilt even after recovering.
— Francoise Dione? (@dione_wearmouth) February 5, 2021