This Holiday Season…

The following article is from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

NHPCO offers tips for supporting those who may be grieving in the holiday season. Regency Hospice recognizes this season as a difficult season for those who have experienced, or are preparing for, the loss of a loved one and would like to share this resource for some ideas on how to help someone through the grief. We hope these tips are useful and encourage anyone with questions to contact any of our offices for more advice or with any questions that you may have.

May your holiday season be filled with joy and thanksgiving!

Nine Tips to Help Someone Grieving During the Holidays

Hospice Professionals Offer Advice

(Alexandria, Va) – For many people, the holiday season is a special time of year marked by celebrations and gatherings with family and friends. For those struggling with the death of a loved one, the holidays may be a difficult time full of painful reminders that emphasize their sense of loss.

Often, friends and family members of those affected by a loss are unsure how to act or what to say to support their grieving loved one during the holidays.

Hospice professionals, who are experienced at helping people deal with grief and loss, offer some suggestions:

1. Be supportive of the way the person chooses to handle the holidays.Some may wish to follow traditions; others may choose to avoid customs of the past and do something new. It’s okay to do things differently.
2. Offer to help the person with decorating or holiday baking.Both tasks can be overwhelming for someone who is grieving.
3. Offer to help with holiday shopping.Share catalogs or online shopping sites that may be helpful.
4. Invite the person to join you or your family during the holidays. You might invite them to join you for a religious service or at a holiday meal where they are a guest.
5. Ask the person if he or she is interested in volunteering with you during the holidays.Doing something for someone else, such as helping at a soup kitchen or working with children, may help your loved one feel better about the holidays.
6. Donate a gift or money in memory of the person’s loved one.Remind the person that his or her loved one is not forgotten.
7. Never tell someone that he or she should be “over it.”  Instead, give the person hope that, eventually, he or she will enjoy the holidays again.
8. Be willing to listen.  Active listening from friends and family is an important step to helping some cope with grief and heal.
9. Remind the person you are thinking of him or her and the loved one who died. Cards, phone calls and visits are great ways to stay in touch.

In general, the best way to help those who are grieving during the holidays is to let them know you care and that their loved one is not forgotten.

Many people are not aware that their community hospice is a valuable resource that can help people who are struggling with grief and loss.

More information about grief or hospice is available from NHPCO’s Caring Connections, www.caringinfo.org.