emotional
The final stages of a terminal illness can be an emotionally exhausting time for everyone involved. Patients and families may experience a bewildering array of unfamiliar feelings and reactions that are difficult to control. Our social work professionals are available to help people better understand and deal with these emotions and to address other distressing issues, such as what to expect and how to cope with the dying process. Hospice bereavement counselors are also available to provide families with grief counseling and bereavement support for 13 months following the death of their loved one.
comforting choices
Like everyone, our patients need opportunities to relax, express themselves, or spend time doing something that gives them pleasure. By promoting a strong sense of well-being, such activities can help manage pain and control symptoms. The Comforting Choices program offers a variety of options for patients. These include: creative art projects; weekly pet visits; listening to recorded or live music, or playing an instrument; receiving massage therapy or lotion application; reading our library’s many books and bestsellers, or listening to our audio books; capturing memories through journaling, scrapbooking, video and audio recording, or creating a family tree or memory box.
grief support
Losing someone we love is one of the most painful experiences we face. Grief is a normal response to our loss, but it can be a distressing and confusing process that touches every aspect of our lives. One who is grieving may suffer from physical symptoms like headaches, upset stomachs, exhaustion or tightness in the chest or throat. They may experience numbness, guilt, depression, irritability or absent-mindedness. Others may be angry with God or the person they’ve lost. Everyone grieves in their own way, in their own time. Symptoms and emotions may come, go, or change without warning. We need to experience our grief in order to heal, but we don’t have to do it alone.
Our bereavement staff is professionally trained and experienced in helping people cope with their grief. We provide a variety of grief support services at no charge. Grief counseling and bereavement support is available to families of hospice patients for 13 months after the death of their loved one. The following programs, services and support groups are available:
- Individual support
- Groups and classes
- Bereavement volunteers
- Annual memorial service
- Hope through Healing newsletter
- Hospice library
- Camp Hope