VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION - HOSPICE OF THE WABASH VALLEY

Do you recognize yourself in some of these statements?

• I can't sleep.
• I can't concentrate.
• I think of my spouse all of the time.
• Sunday is the longest, loneliest day of the week.
• I feel angry, resentful, panicky, confused, helpless, guilty, depressed and frustrated.
• I lost my spouse, my friend and confidant.
• I have no friends who will listen.
• I have physical and emotional symptoms that I don't understand.

If so you could benefit from Bereavement Services.

Purpose
The Hospice Bereavement program is designed to provide support services to bereaved family members or close friends who are touched by the death of a loved one.

Philosophy
Hospice support continues to be available for the surviving family members as long as desired. It is important to realize there are no instant solutions, no early answers, and no timetable for recovery.

Services
Continuing support is available to both those having Hospice services for their loved ones and to those in our community who have had no prior affiliation with Hospice of the Wabash Valley. Services are provided by a team of professionals and lay volunteers prepared for bereavement support work.

Visitation and telephone contacts will be provided to the survivors of the Hospice patient. The amount of contact can be varied depending on the individual's changing needs and desires. Educational materials about grief and loss will be provided through a series of mailings for 13 months following the death of your loved one.

Support Group
We encourage you to attend a support group meeting with a family member, friend or by yourself. Both the newly bereaved and the longer bereaved are welcome. The meetings are informal. There is time to share with the group or one-to-one. You are also welcome to just listen.

It is important to understand grief, to learn coping skills and to have determination to survive the loss.

The group offers understanding, friendship, support and care. Monthly presentations cover areas of concern to the bereaved. Many in the group will discuss ideas that were helpful to them as individuals. There is the opportunity to recognize and express feelings.

Helpful Books

Handbook For Those Who Grieve
Martin Auz; Loyola Press

How Can I Help
June Kolf; Fisher Books

Healing After Loss
Martha Whitmore Hickman; Avon Books

What To Do When A Loved One Dies
Eva Shaw; Dickens Press

Losing A Parent
Fiona Marshall; Fisher Books

The Mourning Handbook
Helen Fitzgerald; Simon & Shuster

Helpful Web Sites

www.hospicefoundation.org
www.griefnet.org
www.growthhouse.org
www.goodgriefresources.com

For More Information

For further information on Bereavement Services, please call or write:

Hospice of the Wabash Valley
400 8th Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47804
(812) 234-2515, (800) 216-5692

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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