The definition of bereavement is: the state or fact of being bereaved or deprived of something or someone. This is what happens when we experience a loss. The loss can be a person, pet, divorce, even age related losses such as ability to see, ambulate, remember all we grieve.
Bereavement is that period of time after the loss. Companies offer bereavement time as a condition of employment. A certain period of time, usually three days, but this does not allow for the amount of needed time to grieve. Bereavement is a process that rebuilds the foundation that was shaken due to the loss experienced.
Bereavement and grief is a process that includes many stages an individual will experience. Stages such as numbness, disbelief, uncertainty, and many more can be something each person might or might not experience. In hospice it is part of the purpose to help individuals and their families to assist in pre-bereavement services. Families will find it difficult to address the reality of their loved one’s decline and the hospice team is there to offer a supportive and listening ear.
At Angels Grace Hospice, in Bolingbrook, IL we provide customized care plans specific to each of the patients and their families. We provide end-of-life care at home, hospitals, skilled nursing homes or assisted-living facilities depending on individual circumstances. Contact us with any questions and for further assistance with your end of life care options.