Social Services & Bereavement
Social and Bereavement Services in Portland, OR
Providing compassionate support is at the heart of hospice care. While that care is focused on patients reaching the end of their lives, it also extends to their families. At Agape Hospice NW, we provide social and bereavement services in Portland, OR, in addition to traditional hospice care. Our hospice social workers offer all-inclusive, free services to families affected by the loss of a loved one. Learn more about what to expect from social and bereavement support.
What Hospice Social Workers Do
Hospice social workers act as a source of support for patients and their families. The ultimate goal is always to ensure everyone feels supported emotionally and physically during this complicated time. Beyond providing emotional support, they also serve a practical role. They can address a variety of concerns, including accessing financial aid and understanding advance directives. Their work ensures families face fewer logistical challenges so they can focus on spending quality time with their loved ones.
How Hospice Grief Services Help Families
Hospice care affects everyone, not just the person needing end-of-life care. With our comprehensive social and bereavement services, families can plan for the future while ensuring their loved one gets the proper care as they live out their final weeks. Here’s what we offer at Agape Hospice NW:
- End-of-Life Planning—Some patients enter hospice having already made end-of-life arrangements. But for those who haven’t, a hospice social worker can help patients, and their families make crucial decisions about care and funeral preferences.
- At-Home Support—Our team provides in-home hospice care of the same caliber you expect from a facility. We offer a wide range of services in the comfort of home, including pain management and counseling.
- Understanding Care Needs—Our hospice social workers can help you understand your loved one’s medical options. We can help you gain insight into which option might be best based on what’s important to your family.
- Bereavement Support—Preparing for the loss of a loved one is challenging, and the emotions accompanying it are often the hardest to manage. Our team provides hospice grief services to help families manage and express their emotions.
Connecting Families to Other Types of Support
In addition to bereavement support from our team, we can also point you to other resources. Community care services are often instrumental in helping families cope with the loss of a loved one. Our clients may supplement our services with the following:
- Support groups
- Help from volunteers
- Mental health counseling
- Family counseling sessions
- Access to resource libraries
What to Expect from Social and Bereavement Support
Social and bereavement support services are not one-size-fits-all. Our hospice team is aware of this and we design our services to be applicable to all kinds of situations. When you come to us for this kind of support, you can expect:
- Consultation—We begin by learning more about your emotional, social, and practical needs. With this in mind, we can recommend the best course of action.
- Choosing Support Systems—Based on your unique needs, we may suggest various types of support. Mental health counseling, support groups, and financial assistance could be useful resources.
- Ongoing Communication—We stay in constant communication with you to ensure you feel supported every step of the way.
- Post-Loss Care—Support doesn’t stop after a loved one’s passing. Many hospice teams provide bereavement counseling for months afterward.
FAQs About Social and Bereavement Services
The time surrounding end-of-life care is emotionally charged, and complex emotions can make it more difficult to get support for yourself. To make it easier for you, we’ll address common concerns about hospice grief services below.
Do I Pay Extra for Social and Bereavement Services?
No, these services are included in your hospice care plan.
How Long Does Grief Counseling Last?
Bereavement support often continues for weeks or months after the loss of a loved one. Be sure to check with us for specific details about how long you can use our services.
What If I Need Help With Caregiving Responsibilities?
Our hospice team can direct you to resources for things like meal deliveries and household assistance to make caregiving more manageable. We can also provide respite care to be sure that your loved one is taken care of when you need to step away.
Learn More About Compassionate Hospice Support
Hospice social and bereavement services are invaluable. They offer families a blend of emotional and practical support during a challenging chapter. Whether it’s navigating forms, arranging support groups, or simply holding space for difficult feelings, our team is here to make sure you don’t feel alone. Get in touch with us today for more information about hospice and community care services in Portland, OR.