Grief is an individual’s natural coping mechanism when dealing with the loss of someone/something no longer in their life. As portrayed by Heart to Heart Hospice, “grief is the natural way we cope with loss” (When You Are Grieving, 2013). Heart to Heart Hospice, located in Indiana, Michigan and Texas, is a hospice agency that provides services for individuals with incurable illnesses and their loved ones. To obtain contact information, services provided or local agencies visit their website HearttoHeartHospice.com. The twenty-six Heart to Heart Hospice locations offers nursing and physician care, social services, occupational and speech therapy, homemaker services and pain management control to individuals with terminal …show more content…
According to Freeman (2005), “death due to chronic illness may include an anticipatory or a forewarning period in which the survivors may begin the process of grieving prior to the actual loss “. Loved ones trying to understand and cope with an incurable diagnosis may experience anticipatory grief. Freeman (2005) suggests, anticipatory grief allows survivors to begin the grieving process, eliminate unfinished business and resolve any conflicts prior to the loss. Debbie explained many family members have a difficult time discussing past family conflicts with their loved one. Therefore, social workers are available to assist families working through these unresolved issues. In addition, anticipatory grief allows individuals to process the loss over time with the added support of social services at Heart to Heart. And, anticipatory grief allows for individuals to plan for the future while the dying person is present and alert. This too is done by staff at Heart to Heart. Therefore, all four aspects of anticipatory grief identified by Freeman (2005) depression, heightened concern for the dying individual, rehearsal of death and adjustment can all be navigated with the assistance of the staff at Heart to Heart