Living with Loss

Living with Loss Support Groups

Any kind of loss or pending loss can makes us feel separated from those things that make life worth living.  It is important to embrace hope and feel companioned in your journey.

Just listening to the experiences of others can help us not feel so alone during this trying time.

These Groups are free and open to the public, and meet at a variety of times and locations.

Coping with Loss

Living with loss is not something most of us go to school for or spend time planning for. We simply learn through time and experience that loss is something we all will face.  We may not even realize that we already have been “living with loss”, as it comes in many shapes and sizes:  loss of independence, career, identity, physical ability, plans/dreams, the loss of our loved ones  – and this is just a short list of the many losses we encounter along life’s journey.

While we may have learned to adapt and cope with some of the losses we have endured in the past, living with loss in the hospice end-of-life environment is unique. Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt, author, educator and grief counselor, makes the important point that each of our grief journeys are indeed unique. Although we may go through similar emotional roller coasters and stages of mourning, the timing of when we go through these stages is influenced by our individual backgrounds and circumstances surrounding our loss. He also emphasizes that there are no quick n’ easy clichés that heal, instead it takes our intentional choice to walk through our unique journeys of loss.

When someone comes onto hospice as a patient, both they and their loved ones have already begun living with loss, facing difficult decisions daily. A common issue that surfaces for everyone involved with a terminal diagnosis is one of acceptance. Accepting the prognosis, accepting help from others, accepting our need for community and accepting the uniqueness of our journey are all crucial aspects for the dying and their loved ones.

At Hospice of the Pines, we wish to support you in your journey of acceptance. We believe that we can better accept, adapt and grow from loss within community. Sharing our stories among others who have similar struggles brings hope and strength for the journey.  That is why our staff and volunteers are trained to walk alongside you and provide the comfort and understanding you need in order to truly live with loss. We also offer support groups – please check our list of local Living with Loss Support Groups – again, these groups are for anyone dealing with any kind of loss.