Having a family member become a hospice patient is difficult—sometimes unbearable. But you are not alone. 1.43 million Medicare patients were enrolled in hospice care in 2016 alone, and most of them had a loving family member just like you.
Dealing with all of the emotions you might be feeling—grief, sadness, anger, and hurt—doesn’t have to be a one-person job. There are many resources in your community and online that can provide support and remind you this isn’t something you need to face alone.
If you are interested in finding an in-person group to cope with your grief, the Pennsylvania Hospice and Palliative Care Network (PHPCN) is dedicated to providing support for families with a loved one who is becoming a hospice or palliative care patients. Use PHPCN’s Bereavement Locator for support services. To locate palliative and hospice care services in your community, use PHPCN’s Find a Provider site.
If you are having trouble finding an in-person support group in your community, or you aren’t ready to participate in a face-to-face setting just yet, Facebook and other online sites have support groups you can join, too. These groups allow you to share your experiences and read about others’ experiences in the comfortable space of your own home. Another benefit of online groups is that they aren’t limited to a certain location, which means you could meet someone states away who is going through exactly what you are.
Your local hospital or church might offer support groups or programs that can help you cope with the grief you are facing. Visit your hospital or church’s website to find out more information or a phone number you can call to see if that would be an option for you.
Words can’t encompass what you are going through. But this isn’t something you should face on your own. Take advantage of these resources to learn effective ways to heal and manage this difficult change in your life, and maybe find friends who will join you in this journey.