A Comprehensive Bereavement Program

Abstract

This case study illustrates how one woman was able to take advantage of a variety of hospice bereavement services. In addition to attending monthly social support group meetings and six therapeutic support group sessions, Lillian received 12 home visits or approximately 18 hours of individual support. Not all hospice survivors became so intensely involved in the follow-up services programs offered by Hilltop Hospice. During the five-year period, 1980-1984, approximately 80% of the hospice survivors, or 200 clients, received some form of direct bereavement services; most of the others were provided with supportive correspondence throughout their first year of bereavement. Although approximately 10% of the hospice survivors became involved in the social and the therapeutic support groups, in addition to receiving individual support, most survivors found the individual support services to be sufficient. However, in hospice programs where resources are limited and not all survivors can be assigned a volunteer, support groups can be designed to compensate for a lack of available volunteers. A comprehensive hospice bereavement program takes into account not only the varying resources of the hospice but the individual characteristics of survivors as well. Because clients' grief experiences differ, as well as their personalities, coping styles, and circumstances, a hospice should be prepared to offer a variety of bereavement services. In addition, surviving family members may be more likely to accept follow-up support from the hospice team if they can choose a particular service to meet their individual needs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)