Hospice 101: Bereavement Services
One of the many benefits hospice provides is access to bereavement services. Bereavement counseling offers emotional, psychosocial, spiritual and support services to assist with issues related to grief, loss and adjustment both before and after the death of the hospice patient. Services begin as soon as the patient is admitted to the hospice program, and continue for 13 months after the death.
At the time of admission to hospice, a social worker meets with the patient and their family to assess their coping and level of adjustment to the impending loss. Bereavement services begin immediately.
After the death of the hospice patient, a nurse educates family members and caregivers about the availability of bereavement services. “We offer individual counseling, support groups and contact through cards and letters,” said Maribeth Holst, MA, LPC, BCPC, manager of bereavement services for Faith Hospice.
The experience of grief is not the same for everyone, and it is not the same each time for everyone. “It is the uniqueness of the relationship that determines the reaction of grief,” said Holst. Some factors that can impact the grief experience include your relationship with the deceased, your support systems and cultural background, other ongoing crises or stresses in your life and your own unique personality. Accordingly, some family members may choose individual one-on-one counseling sessions while others find contact through cards and letters to be sufficient.
A support group can provide a helpful and supportive atmosphere for some people. Faith Hospice offers a number of support groups—some general and others more specific—for example, groups geared toward individuals who have lost a parent or spouse. A schedule of current groups can be found on page X.
For those who need more intensive, short-term grief therapy, individual counseling is an appropriate choice. A bereavement therapist is available to meet at your home or at the Faith Hospice office.
Faith Hospice also maintains contact with the patient’s family and caregivers through cards and letters. Within five weeks of the patient’s death, the family receives a letter of support and information on grief. Further communication is made at the first, fourth, seventh and thirteenth months, and a letter of acknowledgement is sent on the anniversary of the patient’s death. A member of the bereavement staff will also contact the family by phone at one, four and seven months to offer support and identify any need for additional services.
Faith Hospice believes that grief can be a growth experience provided those grieving are afforded compassionate and supportive bereavement care. Faith Hospice provides both patients and their families and caregivers the type of support they need.
August 11th, 2009 | Posted in Community | Share this on Facebook or Twitter