The hospice movement has long been associated with providing quality, home-based care to individuals coping with terminal illness, but Good Shepherd
Hospice has much more to offer, including supportive services for family members and friends coping with the death of a loved one. All of Good Shepherd
Hospice's grief support services are facilitated by bereavement specialists and professionally trained volunteers. The following
grief programs help assure the long-term mental and physical well-being of survivors of all ages by helping individuals adjust to their loss and
express their feelings.
Memorial Services
Memorial services provide a time to honor the memory of loved ones and allow closure for Good Shepherd Hospice families, staff and volunteers. Services
are offered several times a year at various locations throughout Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties and are open to Good Shepherd Hospice survivors
and the community.
Adult Grief Support Groups
Good Shepherd Hospice's grief support groups offer support and education by helping survivors cope with their emotions, new roles in life and plans for
the future. Groups are scheduled at various locations throughout Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties on an ongoing basis. Pre-registration is required,
and the groups are open to all community members who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Children's Services
Unlike adults, children cannot draw upon experiences to help them cope with the death of a loved one. To meet the special needs of young grievers, Good
Shepherd Hospice offers the following services and events through the Bethany Center for Grieving Children and Teens:
- Children's grief support groups for children ages 6 to 17 and their parents or caregivers
- Camp Brave Heart for children ages 6 to 17
- Other special events held throughout the year
at (863) 968-1707 or (800) 464-3994.
