HPH Hospice Offers Unique Support for Caregivers, Families

Most of us are familiar with Hospice’s end-of-life care and support programs, but there are also many other services offered to caregivers and families.

HPH Hospice, a not-for-profit organization accepted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, is focused on providing bereavement support for all ages as well as support for caregivers of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Special veteran support is also offered to those who served, along with their families.

All support groups are facilitated by educated counselors or social workers, many of whom are professionally licensed.

Grief's Journey Bereavement Group

Laura Finch, manager of the HPH Hospice bereavement support groups, said, “Prior to the death of someone being cared for, caregivers often have the support of friends and family. But after this person has passed, people don’t always check in to see how the caregiver is doing. That’s where we come in.”  

The Grief’s Journey Bereavement Group is for newly bereaved adults, or those who have lost a loved one within the past six months, providing needed transitional support. Offered at various locations in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, this group meets for eight consecutive weeks for two hours. The meetings are free, and no prior association with HPH Hospice is required.

New members are welcome during the first two weeks of each eight-week session to ensure that participants can build and progress each week. Ongoing bereavement support is offered weekly for those who need support before the next Grief’s Journey group is available.

Finch explained that the hope is for participants of the program to gain a better understanding of their grief process so that they are better able to manage it. “We teach them how to live without the physical presence of their loved one and help them learn who they are now,” she said.

Ongoing Bereavement Support

Grieving adults are welcome to participate in one of HPH Hospice’s continuing support groups. The groups are offered at multiple locations, and adults can attend one-hour weekly sessions for those who need ongoing support or for those waiting to attend the next Grief’s Journey group. Attendees share their personal grief experiences with others who have walked in their shoes.

Participation is free, and reservations are not necessary. Telephone and holiday bereavement support is also available. HPH Hospice lists times and locations of its ongoing Bereavement Support groups on its Web site.

Children and Teen Bereavement Support

When children and teens experience the death of a loved one, they often feel lost overwhelmed as they are not equipped to handle their grief. Since 1997, HPH Hospice meets this special need with theirChildren’s Assistance Program (CAP). Counselors will see each child needing services for up to three one-on-one sessions to help them understand the grieving process. CAP counselors also provide services in the school system. The program also works to help them understand the child’s grief as well as their own, understanding the differences.  It’s important to aid the entire family so that parents, too, can address their grief.

A summer day camp is offered for elementary school-age kids in Pasco and Hernando counties. In March, an overnight camp in Brooksville is available for middle and high school-age kids. Through creative therapy and activities, the camp provides a foundation for kids, showing them that they are not alone and can still honor their loved one. The emotional ties and support that campers make with each other is evident when previous campers choose to give back. This past year, three of the camp’s former attendees became cabin leaders for the camp. 

Time of Remembrance 

Special ceremonies are held throughout Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties that allow grievers who have lost someone within the past 18 months to honor the deceased in a special way. Facilitated by chaplains, readings are shared, inspirational music is played and loving gestures are made. 

Jan Double, community relations and media coordinator for HPH Hospice, said, “At one of the recent ceremonies, attendees were given a flower seed packet. They each wrote down the name of their loved one on a piece of paper and placed it into water, where it was absorbed. After the seeds were planted, grievers used the same liquid to water the seeds.”

Comfort for Caregivers

HPH Hospice in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter provides information, education and emotional support for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia. This support group is tailored to meet the needs of those attending. The sessions may occasionally include guest speakers to discuss topics of interest such as power of attorney issues or financial topics. Often, attendees serve as a support for one another. Recently, the group was visited by Gary Joseph LeBlanc, author of Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness.

Annette Knowles, field social worker and one of the group’s facilitators, explained that a lot of laughter and tears are shared with the attendees. “We have a small group of regular attendees, and we always have room for new ones," she said. "Caregivers realize that they are not alone in their caregiving journeys.”

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the HPH Hospice team office at 6807 Rowan Road in New Port Richey from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Light refreshments are served. There is no charge to attend the meetings; however, pre-registration is required. To register, call 727-848-7160.

Veteran Services

The HPH Hospice has a unique program that is intended to support the special needs of veterans and their families. Veteran-Centered Hospice Care provides a staff that has a unique understanding of issues and illnesses that veterans experience, specific to the time periods in which they served. This focused group understands the anguish that our veterans go through as well as their families, offering support to both.  Included in these services is a special pinning ceremony to honor and show appreciation to veterans.

Focused on providing extended care and support to local communities, HPH Hospice programs have benefited many families. To learn about the many services provided by HPH Hospice, visit www.hph-hospice.org or call 1-866-940-0962 to speak with an HPH Hospice staff member.