One of the most important and valuable benefits provided by Rainbow Hospice Care occurs after the death of a loved one. Bereavement care is designed to help individuals work through grief by providing a trained and compassionate person who can listen to concerns and provide education about the grief process. So when a Hospice patient dies, Rainbow’s bereavement program offers various grief support services such as telephone contact,  mailings, support visits, grief groups, workshops and other activities to his or her family for the next 13 months, free of charge. Grief support is also available to others who have experienced a loss but have not been served by hospice.

Although grief is a normal and natural response to loss, we live in a society that makes it difficult to talk about. Because everyone is different, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. However, for many people, understanding and learning to cope with the various, often conflicting feelings associated with grief can be very confusing and disruptive. Without help, grief can cause additional problems or intensify existing ones—and have a negative effect on health, personal and professional relationships, and normal day-to-day activities. And because grief has no timetable, feelings may come and go, intensifying or lessening over months or even years.

Taking care of oneself and receiving support from friends and family is extremely important after suffering a loss. It is also often useful to access additional resources such as support groups that offer a safe, confidential place to identify and express thoughts and feelings, and gain support from those who are sharing similar experiences. 

Rainbow Hospice Care offers several grief support group opportunities that include an educational component along with time for sharing. Participants will have the chance to learn about and discuss topics such as grief reactions, role changes and resources, coping skills, grief expression, unresolved issues, and special days. We are currently offering many grief support groups through Rainbow Hospice Care.