Bereavement
Grieving for the loss of our loved ones begins even before the actual time of death. We grieve for loss of the relationship, loss of the interaction, loss of all types of support that our loved one may have given us. We grieve for the changes that occurred in our loved one's life and the suffering that he or she may have gone through. We grieve for the end of the opportunity to do the things we wanted to do together. We grieve at the ending of the connection with that person here on Earth, the ability to communicate immediately and directly. We grieve for the end of a life together as we knew it, not knowing the changes to come.
Grief is more than sadness. It may feel overwhelming and consuming. However, grieving is a healthy and natural reaction, and all of us go through it at one time or another. It's a part of life, just as the death of this body is common to all of us. It is said that the loss of a loved one is "Something that you may get used to, but you don't necessarily totally get over it." We learn to cope with it.
Grieving can lead to depression and ineffective coping. Harrison's Hope provides bereavement support services and counseling to all family members for up to one year after the death of the hospice patient. This includes children as well as parents, spouses as well as siblings. The hospice counselors will evaluate the family to determine who may have a greater need for bereavement counseling. This counseling may be in the family's home or at another meeting place. The important thing to remember is that the hospice benefit includes support even after the time of your loved one's death (for up to a year and one month after).
The hospice social worker or chaplain will contact you and arrange for the bereavement services you need. They will complete a bereavement and risk assessment. This will allow the counselor to create a plan of care for the next 13 month. The bereavement program consists of a combination of letters, cards, mailings, 1 on 1 counseling and group session for healing purposes. This is part of why hospice is considered holistic. It includes the needs of the whole person, the whole family unit and considers your needs on psychological and emotional levels, as well as the spiritual.
If you are feeling a need for support, please communicate that with the hospice social worker, chaplain or RN case manager. They can arrange for the support you need to help you get through this difficult time. If you notice that another family member appears to be having a difficult time please tell any member of your hospice team, and they arrange for support services.
