Bereavement Support
At St. Vincent's Hospice we recognise that the care the Hospice offers to patients, their families and friends, should include bereavement support. Bereavement is something which we all experience at some time in our lives, and we all react in different ways.
The Hospice acknowledges this and encourages relatives and friends to accept the time and support offered from our sensitive and experienced staff. We are all deeply affected when we lose someone we love, whether it is through death or some other way. We all react differently. Grief is natural, but is painful.
These are some of the normal feelings and problems you may experience:
- Numbed and shocked by your loss
- Guilty, angry, anxious, lonely and depressed
- Disappointed about all the plans that will never be fulfilled
- Having difficulty sleeping and eating
- Find everyday situations and relationships difficult to cope with
- Sometimes find people avoid you
- Find it impossible to think about the future
Often we get the help we need from our family and friends, but sometimes the problems are too much to cope with. We may want to talk to someone who can help us understand why or to someone who has had a similar experience.
When to ask for help:
- You may just want to talk to someone
- You cannot eat or sleep, if you are having nightmares or your regular routine is disturbed
- Your work is suffering and you cannot concentrate or work effectively
- You still feel tense, confused, empty or exhausted
- You are having accidents or if you are over-eating, smoking, drinking, or taking drugs in order to cope.
You may want to talk to you GP, district nurse or health visitor, homecare nurse, or make contact with the support team at the Hospice