Patrick Clark, a counsellor from the Moya Cole Hospice Let’s Talk Team, highlights the profound loneliness that often follows the death of a loved one. At Moya Cole Hospice, bereavement support is offered to the loved ones of patients. Those seeking help may have been married for 50 years, lost a parent, or any other cherished person. The depth of loss is tied to a lifetime of shared memories, making loneliness almost inevitable after such a loss.
Losing the Tiny Moments
Loneliness after a death is not just about missing the person; it is about losing hundreds of small, everyday moments. For a spouse, this includes losing someone who asks about your day, shares a bed, or handles the electricity bill. Every person plays many roles in another's life, and when one major loss occurs, all these smaller losses cascade. This accumulation of little voids can be overwhelming.
Pathways to Healing
There are effective methods to help individuals live as fully as possible after such a loss. Counselling is a strong starting point, offering a safe space to engage with and process feelings. Opening up to a loved one, even if they are also grieving, can be another way to cope. The Moya Cole Hospice Let’s Talk team provides bereavement support for those experiencing the death of a loved one. They also offer counselling while the loved one is still in hospice care, helping people come to terms with their feelings about the impending death.
New Bereavement Group
The Let’s Talk team is launching a new Bereavement Group, where individuals can meet others in a safe environment who share similar feelings after losing a loved one. This group aims to foster connection and mutual support among those navigating grief.
About Moya Cole Hospice
Moya Cole Hospice provides holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, including inpatient care, day therapy, and supportive outpatient services at its sites in Heald Green, Stockport, and Little Hulton, Salford. The hospice also offers community and outreach services, such as Hospice at Home in Salford and Trafford, the Community Specialist Palliative Care Team in Salford, and a homelessness palliative care service in Manchester. A 24-hour telephone advice line is available for patients, carers, and healthcare professionals in Salford, Manchester, Trafford, and Stockport.
