ATHENS, Ohio -- The spring series of Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine Geriatric Education Brown Bag seminars begins March 4 when Ann Rathbun, Ph.D., M.Ed., an Ohio University assistant professor of health sciences, presents "Grief and Bereavement." The seminar will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, Room B-9.
Rathbun's presentation will help health-care professionals identify the characteristics of individuals dealing with grief. She will discuss three theories and three types of grief and bereavement, grief myths and explore how those myths can affect those caring for the elderly.
"Since grief usually plays a part in loss, it should be examined as a function of overall health," said Rathbun. "Often, in cases related to chronic or terminal illness, or disabilities, persons may experience loss on many levels. Grief may also play a part in regaining some social function and psychosocial health in these cases."
"Medical professionals may play a role in the bereavement process by recognizing that physical pain is often only one kind of pain that an individual may be experiencing."
Health-care professionals are invited to attend the seminar. Brown bags are welcome. For more information, call the Geriatric Education Center at (740) 593-2258. Each lecture in this series is held from noon to 1 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, Room B-9.
"The seminars are designed for an interdisciplinary audience," said Ellen Peterson, R.N., OU-COM geriatric education coordinator. "Health professionals from the community regularly attend, in addition to interns, residents and medical students. The diversity of disciplines represented by the participants makes for an interesting exchange of ideas."
The series will continue March 18 with Steven Clay, D.O.; Allison Barnett; and Sandy Wrayburn, presenting "Osteoporosis, Falls, Fractures & Rehabilitation." Sarah McGrew will present "OA Update: Screening and Self-Management" April 1. On April 15, Jerry Wilson, Pharm. D., will present "Deep Vein Thrombosis." The final two presentations of the spring series will be "Nutrition in the Elderly" presented by Barbara Nakanishi on May 6 and "Elder Abuse" presented May 20 by Wayne Carlsen, D.O.; Gillian Ice, Ph.D.; and Barbara Pfeiffer, R.N.
The sponsors of the seminars include the Department of Geriatric Medicine/Gerontology, the Western Reserve Geriatric Education Center and Area Health Education Center and OU-COM.
