Understanding Grief
Grief is a normal, healthy response to loss and is a unique, personal experience that differs from person to person. There is no right or wrong way to grieve a death, and many people find that they never “get over” the loss of a loved one. Rather, they learn to live in a world without them.
Grief and bereavement issues often begin for individuals and their families long before they choose hospice services, often at the time of diagnosis. These feelings may remain long after their loved one has died.
We recognize that feelings of loss and grief can be overwhelming. We continue to support our families, caregivers, and community members by offering a comprehensive bereavement program.
Grief is Normal
Since we all are individuals, each of us progresses through the stages of grief on our own schedule. Grief reactions depend on the relationship with the person who died, the situation surrounding the death, and the person’s attachment to the deceased. Grief may be experienced as a mental, physical, social, or emotional response.
Grief responses may include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and despair. A person might also have anxiety and be apprehensive about seeing family and friends or about returning to work.
We are here to offer you the guidance and encouragement you need to successfully navigate through your grief journey. Talking through your emotions and what you are experiencing is a positive step in the right direction. Whether it is talking with one of our qualified bereavement professionals or in a support group setting, we are committed to providing you with the right level of support.
Life After Loss
Grief can be exhausting. It is important to practice self-care and remain patient as you navigate new terrain and learn to adapt to a life without your loved one. Self-care may include:
- Exercise
- Eating regular meals
- Talking with friends or family
- Restful sleep
- Sitting quietly and allowing yourself to just be still
While there is no set timeframe for how long any of the stages of grief may last, if you find yourself to be still overwhelmed and having difficulty functioning after the first year, it may be helpful to seek additional individual counseling.