Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day! Handwashing with soap is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 today and ensuring better health outcomes beyond the pandemic. Join us this #GlobalHandwashingDay to ensure handwashing is a priority now and in the future!

For World Mental Health Day, we'd like to offer some resources for those in our community. The past months have brought many challenges: for health-care workers, providing care in difficult circumstances; for students, adapting to learning in new ways, and anxious about their futures; for workers whose livelihoods are threatened; for people with mental health conditions, many experiencing even greater social isolation than before; and for those managing the grief of losing a loved one, sometimes without being able to say goodbye. These are just some of the struggles in our world right now. We hope you will use these resources to focus on your mental well-being and reduce stress. https://www.who.int//mental-well-being-resources-for-the-p

Today we celebrate teachers on a very special World Teachers Day. We'd like to say thank you to all of the educators who have adapted to continue to teach students, whether it be virtually, in-person, or juggling both. Your dedication to your students is admirable, and every day you make a difference! Thank you!

Today is the International Day of Older Persons, a day first recognized by the United Nations 30 years ago. This year, we'd like to recognize not only the older people in our lives, but also to highlight the role of the health care workforce in contributing to the health of older persons. Now more than ever, we must protect the health of our older community and support those who care for them. Thank you to all of our healthcare and hospice workers!

#FuneralFAQFriday Someone I care about has experienced a loss, and I'm having trouble finding the words to comfort them. What are some ways to convey my empathy without saying the wrong things or providing a meaningless gesture? Learn how to communicate empathy to those grieving with this helpful article from the Remembering A Life Blog: https://rememberingalife.com//practicing-and-communicating

Today is World Alzheimer's Day, which is part of World Alzheimer's Month- a global effort to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia. Currently, there are over 50 million people around the world living with dementia. We encourage you to not wait until after COVID-19 restrictions end to speak to your doctor about experiencing symptoms of dementia. There are several online or telephone options available. Visit www.worldalzmonth.org to see how you can get involved to raise awareness of dementia.

In the days after your loved one’s death, did anyone say to you, you’re so strong or something similar? If so, how did it make you feel? Did you feel empowered and encouraged or unseen and misunderstood? This phrase, meant as a compliment, can sometimes feel so off-putting to people who are grieving. The What's Your Grief blog goes into detail about what it means to be strong in grief. https://whatsyourgrief.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-strong-/

We'd like to take a moment to remember the lives we lost on September 11, 2001, and thank the first responders for their bravery and courage on this day. September 11th is now the National Day of Service and Remembrance. We encourage you to stay safe and participate in 9/11 Day at Home! You can do simple good deeds such as volunteering, supporting charities or being kind to others. Learn more about 9/11 Day at Home by visiting their website: http://www.911day.org

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this topic. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is helping to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention. NAMI has compiled a page of resources filled with information, crisis numbers and awareness. Visit their page: https://www.nami.org//a/suicide-prevention-awareness-month

While many of us are safe at home and taking extra precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe amidst the global pandemic, others are not so lucky. First responders put themselves at a much higher risk of contracting the Coronavirus than the general population and many fear the possibility of getting sick and experiencing fatal complications. Read more about how first responders are preparing for the future on our ShareLife blog.

Coping with the loss of a pet can be tough, and we all grieve in different ways. August 28 is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day- a day to remember the pets that are no longer with us. We're sharing this great article with tips and advice for those grieving the loss of a pet. https://www.helpguide.org//gr/coping-with-losing-a-pet.htm

Funerals are an important part of grieving, for both adults and children. This event offers us a time to say our last goodbyes and help start the realization that a loved one is no longer with us physically. How do you talk to children about death? Here is advice from the Remembering A Life Blog. https://public.nfda.org//five-tips-for-talking-to-children

World Senior Citizen's Day is recognized every August 21st to increase awareness of the factors and issues that affect older adults and support them through the aging process. Our community of senior citizens hold a wealth of knowledge and experiences! Take some time to call your elderly relatives, send them a card or letter, or donate items to assisted living centers.