Month: August 2017

When you have a loved one who is approaching the end of their life, helping them to remain comfortable and pain free is often all that you can do. For many family members, they throw themselves into the role of caretaker and try not to think about how they will grieve. While dwelling on the final days is not necessary, it can be helpful to learn some grieving tips to help your family when the time comes.

Our hospice service not only offers quality hospice care for our patients, but we also want to make sure that the entire family is able to find peace and comfort once their loved one is gone. Understanding the grieving process can help you through this difficult time.

While every individual will go through the grieving process in their own unique way, there are some aspects of grief that are universal. For example, almost everyone experiences a sense of shock or numbness following the loss of a loved one. This is a difficult time and family care should include allowing individuals to process this grief in their own way.

There is no set time period that one must meet in order to progress through the grieving process. Grieving will take as long as necessary and is a very personal and individual matter. Many people find it helpful to discuss their grief with a close friend or even a family therapist, while others find comfort in quiet contemplation.

It can be very helpful to try and focus on pleasant memories rather, than dwelling on things that you could have done differently. Others might tell you to cheer up, or that it’s time to move on, but you need to grieve in your own way. During the grieving process, allow yourself to have your feelings.  It’s also important to keep in mind that you’ll likely experience setbacks. Understanding and accepting that these feelings are normal is key to finding peace in this difficult time.

Having a loved one in hospice care can certainly be an emotional time. It’s hard to accept that they’re nearing the end of their life, and seeing them struggle can bring up many painful thoughts. One of the tips that our service often offers is for family members get support to handle the stress they’re likely to feel.

Whether it’s grief counseling to help you work through your feelings, or you choose to take some time to reflect on the good memories, it’s important to let yourself grieve in your own way. Counseling can help you maintain a level of perspective and may help you identify some of the things you’re feeling; however, there is no one set pattern for grieving that’s going to fit every individual.

A support group is an excellent way to surround yourself with others who are experiencing a similar loss. It can be lonely trying to handle the death of a loved one, but with a good support group, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your feelings. And, you may even pick up some strategies that others have used to manage their grief. Again, no two people are going to grieve in the same way, but it can be helpful to hear how others are coping and to use some of their tips to help you through your grieving process.

Even before the death of your loved one, a support group can provide the emotional support you need at this very trying time. Talking with others, and taking a moment away from the challenges of caring for someone you love, can give you a new perspective. Take each day as it comes and look for tips on how to manage stress.