What My Hospice means is different to each individual and family we serve. For Julie Hartman, a bereavement counselor with MultiCare Hospice, it means assisting families even after their loved one’s journey has ended.

As Medicare’s first coordinated care model, we must protect the services provided for professionals like Julie and the families she helps through the Medicare Hospice Benefit.

At MultiCare Hospice, the services they provide don’t end with the journey of one of their patients. Their bereavement program assists bereaved families in the aftermath of losing a loved one. Through hosting a “Coping with Grief Workshop” for its bereaved families and friends, attendees were able to experience the healing power of self-care while learning practical coping tools. 

In collaboration with Gwen Christensen, a trauma informed yoga instructor, and Dani Hart, an expressive arts professional, the workshop focused on effective coping strategies for individuals and families dealing with grief and loss; with an emphasis on creative expression, journaling, and relaxation techniques that resulted in a half day of self-care practice that relaxed bodies, renewed minds, and restored souls. Participants left the workshop with connections to a community of grievers and with new ways to transform grief on their path toward healing. 

Here is what some of the workshop participants had to say about their experiences:

“I feel it helped so many of us with our healing. Meeting people who are going through the same as me.”

 “The workshop was great. The time was good. I liked the music, yoga, collage, journaling, sharing. There was so much information and tools to help with grief. Thank you for all of it. It was very helpful.”

“I really enjoyed and found this day useful. Thank you for this. I now know that I’m not alone in this. I thank all of the people in hospice.”

“All of it is great! It was a remarkable journey and I am so grateful for the gift of this community support group.”

We invite you to keep promoting the power of hospice by joining the My Hospice campaign. Please consider sharing this post with your family and friends on Facebook and Twitter, or share your My Hospice story with us.