When we experience loss, we all grieve differently. Reactions to losing a loved one can be mental, social, spiritual, and physical. There is no set period for how long a person should grieve. Hence, providers of hospice care in Fresno, California provide bereavement support.

Bereavement services offer several advantages. In addition to having a hospice nurse to look after the patient, the patient’s family receives support to help them identify difficulties and stressors as they go through this difficult period. It can also bring to light their strengths and teach coping skills to help them adapt to a significant loss in their lives.

Hospice services in California focus on symptom management for terminally-ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. However, hospice services do not stop when a patient takes their last breath. Family caregivers and the loved ones of hospice patients have access to bereavement care.

Bereavement support provides compassionate care and meaningful, anticipatory grief support that may include:

• Access to bereavement support groups and home visits for individual support.
• Written materials like letters and booklets to help cope with loss.
• Memorial services and commemorative activities like veteran remembrances to celebrate the hospice patient’s life.
• Holiday grief support and facility or community grief support and education.
• Referrals to appropriate therapeutic and community resources.

Bereavement support offers hope that those left behind can process and overcome the difficulties that arise with losing a loved one. It also empowers them to find new empathy, hope, and renewed strength to move on with their lives.

Here at Fresno Hospice, we help prepare you for the loss of a loved one. Feel free to reach out to us to learn more about our hospice services.