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Our Locations

Community Care Hospice

1669 Rombach Ave.
Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone: 937.382.5400
Fax: 937.383.3898

Ohio's Community Mercy Hospice

1830 N. Limestone St.
Springfield, OH 45503
Phone: 937.390.9665

Ohio's Hospice at United Church Homes

Chapel Hill
12200 Strausser St. NW
Canal Fulton, OH 44614
Phone: 330.264.4899

Ohio's Hospice at United Church Homes

200 Timberline Dr. #1212
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: 740.629.9990

Ohio's Hospice LifeCare

1900 Akron Rd.
Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: 330.264.4899

Ohio's Hospice Loving Care

779 London Ave.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: 937.644.1928

Ohio's Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties

5940 Long Meadow Dr.
Middletown, OH 45005
Phone: 513.422.0300

Ohio's Hospice of Dayton

324 Wilmington Ave.
Dayton, OH 45420
Phone: 937.256.4490
1.800.653.4490

Ohio's Hospice of Central Ohio

Newark

2269 Cherry Valley Rd.
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: 740.788.1400

Inpatient Care Center

1320 West Main St.
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: 740.344.0379

Ohio's Hospice of Central Ohio at
The Ohio State University
Wexner Medical Center

410 W 10th Ave - 7th Floor
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614.685.0001

Ohio's Hospice of Fayette County

222 N. Oakland Ave.
Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: 740.335.0149

Ohio's Hospice of Miami County

3230 N. Co. Rd. 25A
Troy, OH 45373
Phone: 937.335.5191

Ohio's Hospice of Morrow County

228 South St.
Mount Gilead, OH 43338
Phone: 419.946.9822

Ohio's Hospice

Dayton

7575 Paragon Rd.
Dayton, OH 45459
Phone: 937.256.4490
1.800.653.4490

Cincinnati

11013 Montgomery Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45249
1.800.653.4490

Living Loss

Living Loss and Navigating Grief During COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing grief, even though they may not have experienced the death of a loved one or friend. This is known as a living loss. It is important to identify these symptoms and learn ways to navigate grief.

What Is a Living Loss?

A living loss is grief without a death. Because of COVID-19, people have lost a part of their everyday lives as they stay at home and limit in-person socializing. Experiencing grief is not limited to a physical death and is a normal response to the loss of the life one used to live before a life-changing event, such as a pandemic.

“We grieve when important things in our lives that we rely on are suddenly taken away. For now, we have lost life as we once knew it,” said Deb Holt, bereavement counseling professional at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.

During this time, people are experiencing a variety of losses, including loss of financial security, loss of control, loss of events (weddings, graduations, parties, etc.), and loss of connection to others. These losses can impact our emotional, mental and physical well-being.

What Are Some Symptoms of Grief?

The grief you feel with a living loss can be similar to the grief you feel with a death. People can feel a variety of grief symptoms including:

  • Sadness, heaviness and anxiety
  • Problems sleeping
  • Irritability, restlessness and problems concentrating
  • Change in appetite

If grief is not handled properly, it can settle into a depression.

How Do We Navigate Grief During COVID-19?

Strategies to cope with grief are not a one-size-fits-all. Some strategies that have been helpful for others are:

  • Acknowledge your grief. People tend to be overwhelmed by something they do not recognize. Recognizing the symptoms and admitting the feeling of grief will help normalize the response. It is OK to grieve, no matter the circumstance.
  • Take a break from the news. Whether you’re watching the nightly news or scrolling through social media feeds, viewing sad and depressing news coverage on the pandemic only feeds your grief. Instead, disconnect for a time.
  • Take care of your body. Some ways you can take care of yourself include exercising, lessening caffeine intake, deep breathing exercises, and getting a good night’s sleep.
  • Reach out and connect with others. It is important to have strong social support when you’re experiencing grief. Call or video chat a loved one and check in with people you haven’t heard from in a while.
  • Focus on what you can control. Grief often makes us feel out of control. Help empower yourself by not dwelling on things that may or may not happen. Focus on controlling your routine, attitude and self-care.
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