Photo: John Heckscher and Barbara Clemens

Wayland, Mass. — Parmenter Community Health Care will host Camp Erin® Boston, a bereavement camp for Massachusetts youth ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Offered free of charge, Camp Erin Boston will be held August 16-18, 2013 at Camp Bauercrest in Amesbury, Mass.

Founded in 2000 by World Series champion pitcher Jamie Moyer, and his wife Karen, The Moyer Foundation created and funds Camp Erin, the largest national network of free bereavement camps for grieving children and teens.  The network of 41 camps includes a location serving children in every Major League Baseball city and two in Canada. Camp Erin Boston was created in partnership with the Parmenter Foundation.

“Knowing how important grief support is in the life of a grieving child, Karen and I are thrilled that Camp Erin exists in Boston where there is such a large need,” says Jamie Moyer. “Camp Erin provides children the life skills and tools needed to cope with their grief in a healthy way. A child should never have to grieve alone and together with the team at Parmenter, Camp Erin will make a difference.”

Led by grief professionals and trained volunteers, this weekend-long experience will feature traditional camp activities as well as grief education and emotional support. Camp Erin Boston will also provide a unique opportunity for peer bonding between children and teens facing a similar life circumstance.

Meeting the need for specialized bereavement services

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 1.5 million children live in single-family households because of the death of a parent, and one out of every 20 children aged 15 and younger will lose one or both parents. These statistics don’t include children who lose a “parental figure,” such as a grandparent or other relative who provided care.

Programs like Camp Erin Boston can help young people grieve and heal after a loss. Through movement and creative activities, including art, dance, music and creative writing, children and teens will have the opportunity to express their feelings while memorializing their loved one.

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Camp Erin Boston (cont’d)

“We use creative therapy techniques to help children build resilience,” explained Jennifer Wiles, MA, LMHC, BC-DMT, director of Camp Erin. “Creativity is the root of resilience — there’s a power that’s inherent in the creative process, because the child is in control. Creativity also fosters a sense of hope, which in turn builds confidence. That process is enhanced by being in a group where peers can share, hear and support each other.”

A safe place for feelings

Parmenter Community Health Care, an official partner of the Camp Erin network, has provided bereavement support to children and teens since 1992 through its Heart play program. Emma Plunkett, 12, of Sudbury, Mass., lost her father suddenly at the age of nine.  She has participated in Parmenter’s grief programs for more than two years.

“I had a troubled relationship with my father, but when he died we were at a point where things were getting a little better,” she said. “I was mad that he died right when we were having fun together.”

Explained Dana Plunkett, Emma’s mother, “The children’s bereavement program offered Emma a safe haven — a place where she felt she belonged and where she could express her feelings without being judged. It gave her a sense that other kids knew what it’s like not to have a parent.

“Grief programs like Parmenter’s are a huge gift, because where else can kids talk about loss?” she continued. “It’s hard to discuss it with a parent, other kids don’t understand, and many schools don’t have the resources to reach out to grieving students.”

“We are proud to offer the Camp Erin experience to families throughout Massachusetts as part of the nationwide Camp Erin Network,” said Cindy Mayher, executive director of the Parmenter Foundation. “We are committed to help bring the healing experience of Camp Erin Boston to Massachusetts children each year.”

For more information about Camp Erin Boston, visit www.camperinboston.org,  or contact camp director Jennifer Wiles by calling 508-358-3000 extension 244, or emailing jwiles@parmenter.org,

About The Moyer Foundation and Camp Erin®

The Moyer Foundation is a public 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2000 by World Series champion pitcher Jamie Moyer, and his wife Karen. With offices in Seattle and Philadelphia, The Moyer Foundation supports programs that directly meet the needs of children in distress. In addition to community funded grants, the Foundation created and funds Camp Erin®, the largest network of free bereavement camps in the country for grieving children and teens; and Camp Mariposa®, a free weekend camp for children ages 9-12 who are impacted by addiction in their family. For more information, visit http://www.moyerfoundation.org.

About Parmenter Community Health Care

Founded in Wayland in 1954, Parmenter provides home health and hospice care throughout the MetroWest area, as well as community health care programs in Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and neighboring towns. The agency also provides hospice services in its Parmenter Hospice Residence in Wayland.

How can you help? A hand tied fleece blanket will be given to each child attending camp. Kits are available for pick-up at our Wayland and Sudbury locations. Instructions and all materials are included. It takes about an hour to assemble each blanket. If making blankets isn’t your thing, a $25 donation to cover the cost of one blanket is greatly appreciated.

Our wish list: We are in need of gift cards to help with purchasing camp supplies from Target, AC Moore, Michaels Crafts, Oriental Trading, Donelons or Stop& Shop.

All donations may be dropped off at one of our offices or sent to Jennifer Wiles, Parmenter Community Health Care, 266 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778. The Parmenter Foundation is located at 400 Boston Post Road, Sudbury MA 01776

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Stuart Hamilton, Robin Gunderson and Abby Leonard

Health Care Decisions

On Tuesday April 23^rd a group of interested community members gathered at the Sudbury Senior Center to hear from a panel of Parmenter representatives about Advanced Care Planning. The panel was introduced by Phyllis Schilp, Parmenters’ Board of Health Nurse for the town of Sudbury.  President of the Parmenter Foundation Board and estate planning attorney Stewart Hamilton, of Sudbury, shared an overview of the Massachusetts law, in particular the importance of naming a health care agent, and an alternate, through a Health Care Proxy.  In Massachusetts, residents can choose a Health Care Agent to speak for them should there ever be a time when they are unable to make decisions or communicate their wishes for care.  Hamilton shared, “You never want to surprise someone that you’ve named them as your health care agent, so be sure to let them know and share your wishes for care.”

Robin Gunderson, the Parmenter Foundation’s Advance Care Planning Facilitator and Instructor spoke about the benefits of planning ahead, presented an overview of Parmenter’s new initiative and shared the Five Wishes document, a tool for thinking about, writing down and sharing wishes for care.  “Five Wishes” includes: My Wish for: The Person I want to Make Care Decision for Me When I Can’t, The Kind of Medical Treatment I Want or Don’t Want, How Comfortable I Want to Be, How I Want People to Treat Me, What I Want My Loved Ones to Know.

Gunderson described Advance Care Planning as a process and encouraged participants to gain an understanding of care options, take time for quiet reflection, engage in intimate conversations, and then make choices about the type of care they would want or wish not to receive.  Referencing research through the Respecting Choices advance care planning program at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center of La Crosse, WI, Gunderson stated that when the advance care planning process is undertaken and results in a written plan, one that is shared with loved ones and healthcare providers, choices for care are more likely to be honored, stress is reduced and, ultimately, health care is delivered more effectively.

Abbey Leonard, RN and Parmenter’s Hospice Manager, spoke about the unique care Hospice provides to patients and their families in their home, in facilities, or at the Parlin House, Parmenter’s hospice residence located in Wayland. Leonard also spoke about Parmenter’s bereavement services for adults, teens and children, all of which are offered without charge to participants. Parmenter has recently partnered with the Moyer Foundation to offer a summer camp for children and youth. The camp is made possible through the community support of volunteers and financial gifts. Learn more about how to help at parmenter.org.

The panel presentation concluded with a question and answer period. “These conversations can be difficult to start, but when they are undertaken, often people are eager to learn more because they want to have a voice in their health care,” said Cindy Mayher, Executive Director of the Parmenter Foundation. The “Five Wishes” documents are available at no charge at Parmenter’s office at 266 Cochituate Road, Wayland or at the Parmenter Foundation office located at 400 Boston Post Road, Sudbury.

Documents may be completed at no cost, or residents may want to consult with an attorney. Parmenter does not provide legal advice.

Parmenter Community Health Care, an independent, non-profit health care agency providing visiting nurse services, rehabilitation care, palliative care, hospice care and community services for the Metrowest area. www.Parmenter.org

Photo: Left to right President, Parmenter Board of Trustees, Tom Travers of Sudbury, WCVB Anchor, Susan Wornick, The Parmenter Foundation, Executive Director, Cindy Mayer of Weston, Board member, Kyei Atupem of Framingham and Parmenter CEO, Denise McQuaide of Andover.

Advance care planning is a process. It requires intimate conversation, quiet reflection and thoughtful choices. When this process is undertaken and results in a written plan, choices are more likely to be honored, stress is reduced and ultimately health care is delivered more effectively.

We can provide and receive better care and Massachusetts can lead the way. Let’s start the conversation on Beacon Hill, in our boardrooms and at our kitchen tables.

Cindy Mayher, MSN

Executive director

The Parmenter Foundation