Hospice deals with expected deaths resulting from a progressive illness. Providence Hospice views grief and mourning as the natural, expected and reactionary process to death. Grief is not a disorder or mental illness.
Most people gradually adjust and become reconciled to their loss through information, emotional support and time. We believe that bereavement follow-up acts as a bridging process. Bereavement services help families who have been intensely connected with hospice team members and who now receive support and encouragement through the bereavement program as they find their own support network.
Providence Hospice Bereavement program supports grieving people as they reconcile the loss of their loved one, process their grief and resume their normal daily activities. Although the hospice team does not provide long-term counseling, they do refer people to counselors and community resources if additional follow-up is needed. We encourage the bereaved to connect to their community for the ongoing support that will carry them through their grieving process.
Bereavement services are a condition of participation for any Medicare-certified hospice program. These services are an integral part of the entire hospice care plan. Providence Hospice Bereavement Program provides: risk assessment of likely complications in the survivor’s grief process; 13 months of follow-up; literature about the grief process by mail; a telephone contact by a bereavement counselor; bereavement-trained volunteer telephone support; grief support groups; grief classes; memorial gatherings; and referrals to community resources.
All Providence Hospice Bereavement Services are available to community members who have suffered a loss through death. All services are free of charge. To learn more about our services, please call 503-215-CARE (2273) or e-mail bereavement@providence.org.
Portland-West Side
Morning Group:
1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
9205 SW Barnes Road, Portland
Pastoral Services Conference Room
Evening Group:
2nd & 4th Thursday of each month
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
9205 SW Barnes Road, Portland
Conference Room 3
Portland-East Side
Morning Group:
1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Providence Portland Medical Center
4805 NE Glisan St., Portland
Pastoral Care Conference Room
Afternoon Group:
2nd & 4th Thursday of each month
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Providence Portland Medical Center
4805 NE Glisan St., Portland
Pastoral Care Conference Room
Milwaukie
1st and 3rd Thursday of each month
10:30 a.m. to noon
Providence Milwaukie Hospital
Mother Mary Theresa Room
10150 S.E. 32nd Ave., Milwaukie
Newberg
1st & 3rd Thursday of each month
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Providence Newberg Medical Center
1001 Providence Dr., Newberg
St. Paul Room
Grief Support Classes (Journey through Grief)
Journey Through Grief a six-session class/support group for people grieving the loss of a loved one. The sessions help participants understand the grief process and allow opportunities to question, explore and share experiences that may facilitate growth and healing.
Led by professionals, the classes focus on the following topics:
Dimensions of grief
Symptoms of normal grief
Recalling your coping skills
Assuming new roles
Coping with holidays
Resources to use for support
Building memories
Journey Through Grief is offered several times a year at different Providence locations. The classes are offered at no charge; however space is limited, and registration is required.
For more information or to register, please call Bereavement Services at 503-215-2273.
Community Care
When a crisis happens to someone we care about, it's natural to want to reach out. But sometimes we hesitate to visit or call because we're afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. That's where the Providence Hospice Community Care Program can help.
Camp Erin is a grief support camp designed for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. It is a traditional, fun, high-energy camp combined with grief education and emotional support.
Me, Too. & Company
Me, Too. & Company is a program that supports children and families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, child, relative or friend. Eight-week support groups are offered for children, teens and the adults in their lives.
