Grieving the loss of a loved one is always difficult, even when the loss is to be expected. That’s the case with hospice care, as it’s only for individuals nearing the end of life – but in Cleveland, Ohio, no one has to go it alone. Bereavement support is a key element of hospice care, and taking advantage of the available services helps with the healing process.
Whether you’re feeling anger, sadness, disbelief, helplessness or anxiety at the thought of what lies ahead for your family, hospice care professionals can provide much-needed guidance and support. At Suncrest Hospice of Cleveland, we understand the unique challenges that come with grief, and you can count on us to deliver high-quality bereavement services. To learn how our hospice care team can help you adapt to life without your loved one, read on.
What are Bereavement Services in Hospice Care?
Hospice care is beneficial for anyone with a progressive, life-limiting illness, and services can begin when a patient’s prognosis is six months or less. However, the support provided doesn’t disappear when the patient passes away.
Bereavement services are part of the Medicare hospice benefit, and families of patients with Medicaid or private insurance can also access bereavement support. From the moment of a loved one’s admission to hospice, you and others who are grieving can get the help you need to move forward. And, the support provided doesn’t disappear when the person you hold dear passes away – services can continue for up to 13 months after their death.
Cleveland hospice care providers offer a range of bereavement services to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. Families can benefit from:
- Grief information and educational resources
- Over-the-phone and in-person guidance
- Connections with local grief support groups
- Assistance with memorial service planning
- Commemorative activities, like tree planting
- Specialized services for children and teens
Hospice bereavement services help those left behind find a way to keep going. Accepting the reality of the situation, working through the intense pain and adjusting to life with a loved one absent can be incredibly difficult, and hospice care professionals understand how to help people move through the grieving process.
Who Provides Hospice Bereavement Support?
Hospice care agencies have specialists on staff who are trained and experienced in providing bereavement services. Along with physicians, nurses, therapists, hospice aides and volunteers, they’re members of the hospice team, and their role is to provide emotional guidance. Grief support may come from a number of specialists, including:
- Bereavement coordinators, who identify those in need of grief counseling and coordinate the plan of care
- Hospice chaplains, who offer comfort and help people find peace and meaning in the end-of-life experience
- Hospice social workers, who guide people in coping with complex emotions and in finding community resources
Grief is an individual journey, and services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each person in mourning. Bereavement specialists can offer support both in advance of a loved one’s death and for more than a year after their passing. After all, sorrow doesn’t always begin after a loss, and for those experiencing anticipatory grief, support is available.
How Do Families Access Bereavement Services?
Once an individual decides to enter hospice, a plan of care is established. This spells out the specific services and types of support to be provided, and since no two people have the same care needs, the plan is personalized. However, Medicare-approved hospice care providers like Suncrest always offer the option of including bereavement services for surviving family and friends.
After conducting an assessment of those close to the hospice patient, a bereavement coordinator works to find resources and solutions to support everyone as they move through the grieving process. Services are provided at no cost to the patient or the family, and the bereaved can reach out for additional support at any time.
If you’re looking for a hospice care provider you can trust to assist with a loved one’s end-of-life journey, Suncrest Hospice of Cleveland is the one to call. Our team of professionals makes every effort to help the incurably ill live out their remaining time in peace and comfort, and we’re here to help their friends and families along the path of healing.
At Suncrest, we understand how the loss of a loved one can have a huge impact on everyone left behind. While all Medicare-approved hospice care providers are required to offer grief counseling and bereavement services, not every agency offers the same level of support. Turn to us, and you’ll find that our bereavement coordinators, chaplains and social workers are dedicated to providing exceptional care to those in need.
Do you have questions? Or would you like to learn more about the bereavement services we offer at Suncrest Hospice of Cleveland? For answers, information and guidance – or to schedule a hospice care consultation for a loved one in Cleveland, Ohio – contact us online or give our office a call today.
