REACHING FOR TOMORROW, A GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT RESOURCE GUIDE, AVAILABLE FREE TO THE PUBLIC FROM THE METLIFE MATURE MARKET INSTITUTE®
Westport, CT , February 27, 2007
The MetLife Mature Market Institute, in conjunction with the MetLife Advice for Beneficiaries…Delivering The Promise®, is making its grief and bereavement resource guide,Reaching for Tomorrow, available free to the public. The publication provides listings and information on nationally known organizations, books, guides and Internet sites with resources helpful to those who have lost a loved one.
"While the loss of a loved one is personal and different for everyone, this guide can provide direction for almost anyone to help begin the healing process," said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director, MetLife Mature Market Institute. "The booklet provides specific resources for children, adolescents, adults, parents, spouses and significant others struggling, emotionally and financially, with a loss that may be devastating."
"In many cases, those who are grieving move through phases of mourning including shock, yearning, despair and, in time, reorganization," said Paul H. Michael, vice president, MetLife Advice. "This guide offers loved ones resources to move through these phases, often referred to as ‘grief work.’ We encourage people to reach out for help when it is most needed."
Reaching for Tomorrow addresses specific age groups and lifestyle issues, including:
- Children who have lost a parent, including young children, teens and adult children
- Parents who have lost a child
- Spouses and domestic partners, including military widows
- Sibling loss
- Those who have lost a loved one to AIDS
- Those who have experienced the sudden death of a family member or friend
- Survivors of a suicide loss
There are also listings of publications specific to situations and certain individuals. Examples are "A Decembered Grief: Living With Loss While Others Are Celebrating" and "When Men Grieve: Why Men Grieve Differently and How You Can Help." Listings for associations such as Bereaved Parents of the USA and the Hospice Foundation of America contain addresses, phone numbers and Internet addresses.
In addition to addressing emotional issues, the guide’s resources offer advice and "to do" lists for survivors who are navigating the maze of paperwork and financial concerns. For instance, AARP offers a checklist of financial and legal actions one may need to take on its website.
For those seeking a support group, there is a list providing places to search for local information, including hospice programs, hospital social service programs, mental health agencies, newspapers, religious/spiritual groups, senior centers, United Way, and Victim Assistance Organization.
MetLife Advice for Beneficiaries…Delivering The Promise, provides personal attention and specialized services to beneficiaries who have experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one. The services provided by this program can help foresee and resolve many of the issues that surviving family members might experience while going through this difficult time.
The MetLife Mature Market Institute is MetLife’s information and policy resource center on issues related to aging, retirement, long-term care and the mature market. Staffed by gerontologists, the Institute provides research, training and education, consultation and information to support MetLife, its corporate customers and business partners. MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a leading provider of insurance and financial services with operations throughout the U.S. and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions.
For a free copy of Reaching for Tomorrow, please write to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, 57 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880, call (203) 221-6580 or e-mail: MatureMarketInstitute@metlife.com. This publication and others can also be accessed at http://www.maturemarketinstitute.com/.
Editor’s note: Publication available at: http://www.maturemarketinstitute.com/ under ‘What’s New.’