Grief Support for Loved Ones
National Grief Awareness Day is August 30, and it is a day set aside to raise awareness about loss and how those impacted by loss cope. At Aria Hospice Comfort Care we have walked alongside families and loved ones during their grieving process by providing compassionate grief care to help them cope with their loss. Often families are experiencing anticipatory grief which is grief that occurs before the loss so families are reluctant to ask for support but we are here to ensure they are supported.
When Does Grief Support Start and Stop?
It’s important to note that the process of grief (or bereavement) happens the moment of diagnosis. Because grief can be so complicated, grief care begins as soon as the patient begins hospice care.
All hospice providers are required to extend Grief Support (often called Bereavement Care), for 12 months after the loved one has passed. At Aria Hospice Comfort Care, we provide 13 months of care and, very often, we see families from years past continue to attend our bi-annual Celebration of Remembrance events to remember and celebrate the loved ones that have transitioned.
In addition to this care, we now offer a program called GriefShare which is accessible online from our website. GriefShare is a 12 week program that gives those who are struggling with the death of a loved one and need support to navigate that process. This group allows you to build strong connections with others who are walking through grief while also providing you the tools needed to grieve in a healthy manner.
Aria Hospice Comfort Care Grief Share is offered FREE to those in the process of grieving a loved one EVERY Saturday 10-11:30am MST, beginning July 31, 2021. Click HERE to access the Zoom Link.
Why Grief Support Matters
When we are told we will lose our loved one, and given a time frame for when that happens, a deep mourning process triggers in our brain. Some view this period of time as a gift in which we’re able to really focus on the things that matter - to spend time with our loved one, to tell them how much they mean to us, and to say goodbye. But for others, this process feels more painful. They become fixated on all the “what ifs,” guilt, remorse, and stuck in what could’ve been.
As we come alongside them to offer grief support, our goal is to help both the patient and the loved ones accept the diagnosis, and grieve in a healthy, supportive way. This can bring great peace to the patient, allowing them to pass peacefully, knowing their loved ones will be ok.
During this process, we closely monitor the loved ones to assess for suicidal ideation or self-harm risk, as loss can trigger mental health crises during this grieving process. We’re also assessing for complicated grieving situations that may trigger a general health issue in either the patient or the family/loved ones.
What Is “Healthy Grief”?
It’s possible that you’re reading this because you’re in the process of grieving and may not be able to see the end of your grief. The process of grief can be lifelong, and it can change constantly. There may be days you feel you have “gotten over” your grief, then you see something that reminds you of the person you lost and it breaks you down.
Grief can deeply impact our lives and our health, but it’s important to remember how normal that is. We will ALL experience grief during our lives because loss is an unfortunate part of life.
Healthy grieving doesn’t mean that you don’t mourn deeply, or struggle heavily with that loss. It simply means that you maintain physical and mental health during this process. Markers of healthy grief are:
Acceptance of the loss
Sadness, but without guilt
Willingness to talk about your loved one
Thoughts of suicide or severe health issues are signs that you are not grieving in a healthy manner and need to consult a mental health provider immediately. It’s critical to remember there is no shame in struggling with these thoughts and feelings. Grief can drastically alter who we are, especially if your loved one had a difficult transition.
Signs of depression related to loss include:
Prolonged disruption in getting back to the things you love/normal life
Fixation on the loss, without any hope
Overwhelming sadness
Health issues
Suicidal thoughts or ideations
Guilt and/or shame
Feeling that life is now worthless
If you are struggling with depression, get free confidential help NOW.
If you are struggling with depression, get free confidential help NOW. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
To learn more about GriefShare, visit their website: https://www.griefshare.org/
If you would like to learn more about our Hospice and how we’re different from our competitors, call us: (520) 547-7000
GriefShare is currently offered through Zoom. Click on the link below to access the GriefShare link, available on Saturdays from 10-11:30am, beginning July 31.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89946430826
Meeting ID: 899 4643 0826
Other Resources:
At Aria Hospice Comfort Care we believe in a holistic approach to Hospice. We offer classes and resources designed to help people cope, heal, and improve their lives. In addition to GriefShare, we currently offer a class on Mindfulness called Every Mind Matters. Class details and the Zoom Link are listed below.
Every Mind Matters: Continues Every Wednesday 5:30-6 pm via ZOOM
https:/us02web.zoom.us/j/82385159663
Meeting ID: 823 8515 9663
Topics as Below:
Wed. 7/28: Topic: Inner Calm w/ Special Guest, Certified Breathing Coach Teresa Jansen
Wed. 8/4: Topic: Mindfulness of Body & Breath
Wed. 8/11: Topic: Body Scan
Wed. 8/18: Topic: Clearing your mind with pen and paper
Wed. 8/25: Topic: Befriending
