News

Local Support for Grieving Residents

Posted 8/12/24 (Mon)

Most people think of a hospital as a place to receive the care they need to get back on their feet, and that’s absolutely the case--but hospitals are also often a place people go to receive the care they need to pass as comfortably as possible at the end of life. In the United States, a third of all deaths occur at a hospital, so perhaps it’s not all that surprising that grief is something we work on with patients.

At Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics, we are investing in the comfort of all our patients, and that includes patients at end of life and their loved ones. The new patient wing includes a more secluded west end. By shutting a door or two, the west end is self-contained, with its own patient rooms, nurses station, and family waiting room. The TVs in each patient room can stream Zoom calls from faraway loved ones who can’t be there in person.

At our clinics, mental and behavioral telehealth rooms are also getting a makeover so they are more relaxing and less sterile. At Mobridge Medical Clinic, the room is a work in progress. The sharps and glove box will be removed soon, the walls will be repainted, new artwork will be installed, and a second chair will be placed for couples and family counseling situations.

Whether a patient passes at the hospital or receives hospice care at home, the days and hours leading up to death are something many loved ones are not prepared for, and the grief that follows that flurry of activity is something else altogether. Coping with grief is a deeply personal experience, and there's no right or wrong way to do it, but here are some strategies that might help:

• Allow yourself to feel the full range of emotions that come with grief. There can be sadness, anger, confusion, and even relief. It’s important to recognize and accept these feelings without shame.
• Seek support from friends, family members, or a trusted religious leader (even if you aren’t a member of a local church). Staying connected with others can provide emotional support and remind you that you are not alone.
• Prioritizing your physical health will positively impact your emotional health. It’s important to try to eat well, get regular exercise, maintain a regular sleep schedule, and avoid numbing pain temporarily with alcohol or drugs. Try to engage in activities that bring you joy or a sense of accomplishment.
• Grab a notebook and start a journal. Expressing yourself through writing or art can be therapeutic and help you gain a deeper understanding of your grief.
• Create or maintain rituals that help you feel connected to your loved one. Did you often visit that person in a certain place or call at about the same time? Honoring and remembering your past relationship can be comforting, especially in those spaces or during times special to the two of you.
• Be patient and gentle with yourself. Grief doesn’t have a set timeline and allowing it to unfold naturally is healthy. Having good and bad days is okay.

If you find that your grief is overwhelming and these tips seem out of reach, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics has two remote licensed clinical social workers and one remote psychiatric nurse practitioner on staff who are trained in grief counseling and will provide you with needed support and healthy strategies for coping. Nicolette Longbrake, our on-site nurse who schedules mental and behavioral health appointments, can be reached directly and confidentially at 605-845-8174.