Families, Friends & Caregivers

Hospice treats the whole person, not just the disease, by providing care for the mind, body and spirit. The Hospice Benefit is not just for the patient. We also provide care and support for the family and loved ones during their time of need.

Advanced Directives

Advance Directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They provide a way for you to communicate your wishes to family, friends and health care professionals which avoids confusion later on. You can download your State’s Directives which are listed in the right hand column.

Bereavement

Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after a death. Grieving is a normal part of reacting to a loss. You may experience grief as a psychological, physical, social or emotional reaction. Psychological reactions can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness and despair. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, physical problems or illness.

Rivercross Hospice provides a complimentary, organized bereavement program, facilitated by a qualified Bereavement Coordinator, for up to one year after the passing of your loved one. This program may include; calls, letters, individual assessments, evaluation tools, grief education literature and support group information. Sometimes after the funeral, families are expected to “move-on.” However, this takes time and the goal of the bereavement program is to give you the time you need to prepare to go forward. You may decide to decline participation in the bereavement program and Rivercross Hospice will respect your wishes.