Since its founding in 1982, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare has offered grief support services to the community. Now, the not-for-profit organization is expanding its grief support services to offer additional services to patients, families and community members through Pathways of Hope^SM. 

Through Pathways of Hope, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare now offers the community a team of bereavement counseling professionals and social workers who are dedicated to providing grief support and education. The team members have significant experience and expertise in helping grieving children, adolescents and adults.  

“We’re honored  to be able to offer Pathways of Hope to the patients, families and community members that we serve in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties,” said Kurt Holmes, executive director of Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “Through Pathways of Hope, we will be better able to support the ever-growing needs of families and community members.”  

The Pathways of Hope staff at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare seek to understand what is needed for each individual as they navigate the grief process, and to assist with an effective plan to cope with this life change. 

“Grief is a normal reaction to loss. It is a unique experience for each individual,” said David Hargrave, LSW, CPT, bereavement counseling professional at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “Grief support services can provide a much needed bridge over the difficult days, weeks and months following a loss.” 

Hargrave and his team offer one-on-one counseling sessions for children, teens and adults by appointment. Often, one session can provide adequate information for the griever to feel they are processing grief normally. Each person’s needs will be assessed by the Pathways of Hope team and an individual plan of care will be developed.  

Pathways of Hope grief support groups also provide a place where understanding, encouragement and practical suggestions are readily found. The support groups are open to anyone in the community who is coping with the loss of a loved one.   

Through Pathways of Hope, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare offers spring and fall memorial services; monthly grief workshops; an adult grief group, Faces of Grief; Camp Waves of Emotion, a grief camp for kids; school groups; and individual bereavement services. In addition, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare provides psycho-education training, grief workshops and individual bereavement counseling for extended care facilities, local businesses, schools and churches. 

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare also partners with local community mental health agencies to provide training for pre-school administrators and staff regarding grief and loss in children. The organization offers support to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)  Wayne and Holmes Counties with its role in supporting law enforcement and helping other professionals through the CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) and its coordination of the local LOSS (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors). 

“Generous support from members of the community and partners is essential to our ability to extend  grief support services. Through donor support, we are able to offer Pathways of Hope to the communities we serve, regardless if they have been served by our program,” Holmes said. “We’re grateful to the individuals  and community-based partners  who support the mission of Ohio’s Hospice  LifeCare.”

Pathways of Hope is one example of how Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare is continuing to add additional services in the communities it serves. “We’re committed to providing superior care and superior services to each patient and family we serve in the communities of Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties, as well as in the surrounding areas,” Holmes said. “Through exceptional support services, such as Pathways of Hope, we’re able to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.”

For more information about Pathways of Hope or to schedule an appointment with a Pathways of Hope bereavement counseling professional at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, call 330.264.4899. 

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice that serves communities in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties.  It embodies the spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors with a commitment to relieve suffering, ease fears, and provide companionship along life’s last journey.  Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare addresses patient and family needs wherever the patient calls home. Services also include access to the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, providing short-term patient care to manage acute symptoms, adjust medications, or stabilize patient condition.