What is Grief?
"Our family would like to thank everyone involved in my husband's care. You helped us to fulfill his final wish and make his final journey from home. You are all amazing and special; you took great care of him as well as his family."
"Your caring staff is so valuable to families during critical times. Your support is very comforting and appreciated. We are truly grateful."
"We were blessed with the loving care you gave our Dad. The nurse was great and treated him like he was part of her family. We are forever grateful for all of you. Thank you."
"To the Hospice folks, words cannot express our thanks and appreciation for your tender touch and loving professionalism during our Dad's illness. We will always remember our nurse's expert skills and abilities as well as her personal touch. "
"We want to thank everyone who cared for our Mother. Everyone was so nice and caring and went over and beyond what we could have hoped for. Thank you all."
Grief is the reaction a person has to the death of someone important to them, or the loss of something important to them. It involves the whole person, including emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual reactions.
If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to grieve. Grief is a normal response to death or loss. Grief gives us a chance to reflect on the relationship with our loved one, and gives us time to find new strength to continue. A grieving person's task is not to let go but rather to find a different way to hold on.
The major elements of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, grieving, acceptance, and reestablishment.
Mental reactions include
- anger
- guilt
- anxiety
- sadness
- despair
Physical reactions include
- changes in appetite
- weight loss or gain
- physical problems
- general poor health
- fatigue and sleeping problems
Social reactions include
- changed emotions with regard to family members
- loss of interest in social or work life.
Please call the CareFirst Grief Services team at 607.962.3100 to speak to a professional Grief Counselor who can offer you guidance and support through this difficult time.
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