It can feel daunting to explain suicide to a child, particularly if you are already coping with confusion and shock. The following are tips about how to discuss this type of loss with your child. Share the News Quickly. It is ideal for you to share the news immediately, if possible. Delaying the conversation can sometimes mean that a child will hear the news from another source outside the family, which can add to the confusion or distress of an already difficult situation. Older children and teens may also feel angry or upset if they feel that they are “the last to know.” Explain in a Simple ..read more

Kids Path counselors often get questions from the caregivers of teenagers about whether social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram are unhealthy for their child. Common concerns include “Is my teen using their phone to avoid ‘real life?’” and “Will my teen be bullied on social media?” Although these concerns are understandable, social media can be a useful social and expressive tool for teens who are coping with grief. Below is an overview of how social media can be beneficial for teens who have experienced loss, as well as suggestions for how families can encourage safe and healthy engage ..read more

What’s the difference between hospice and palliative care? For patients and families facing serious illness, this is a common question. Ultimately, the goals of both hospice and palliative care are very similar: to relieve symptoms of a serious illness, provide comfort from pain and improve quality of life for the whole family. Yet how these goals are achieved and when a person is eligible for each type of care can be very different. If you missed the March 15 Lunch & Learn, here is more information on this frequently asked question. Eligibility Patients in both hospice and palliative care ..read more

For kids and teens, grieving the loss of a loved one can sometimes be further complicated by related changes. The death of a parent or guardian might result in the child moving to a new home or school or even having a new primary caregiver. Some children are strongly impacted by the death of a grandparent or other extended family member if the person played a significant role in their daily life. Secondary loss is a term that counselors use to describe the changes in a child’s life that result from a loved one’s death. Often, the disruption in daily routines or family traditions can be as pa ..read more

As of October 1, 2019, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro and Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell have merged into a single legal entity. At this time, however, we will continue to operate as Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro. You should not notice any changes in the care and services provided to you or your loved one. Our merger is a wonderful opportunity for our two mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations to better meet the needs of more than 3,000 hospice patients each year and thousands of others wh ..read more

Separation anxiety can be a common response to a significant loss for preschool or elementary-age children. You may find that your child has difficulty letting you out of their sight and may even seem to be in your personal space all the time. We see this most commonly in children whose parent or primary caregiver has died, regardless of whether the loss was expected or sudden. Many families want to soothe the worries of their “clingy” child but also feel frustrated by trying to meet these increased needs following a loss, at a time that is difficult and stressful for everyone in the family ..read more

Kids Path counselors often hear from parents or caregivers that their child has not cried after a significant loss. Some families worry that a lack of tears means their child is “bottling up” or repressing emotions in a harmful way. Often, grief in children and teenagers looks different from what we expect. The range of feelings and behaviors tends to be broader in kids and teens than typical grief in adults. Here are some of the most common grief responses for children and teens. Sadness may not look like crying. Certainly, some children react to a death by crying. Children who don’t cry aft ..read more

In the United States, the rate of suicide and death by overdose has reached a level not seen since World War II. In fact, for those aged 10 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Left in the wake of these heartbreaking statistics are the loved ones who are devastated. Their sorrow is often compounded by stigma, guilt and isolation. They require help navigating the complicated grief associated with traumatic loss. Thanks to generous community support, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro (HPCG) has been able to respond to this growing need, regularly offering suicide and over ..read more

The middle school and high school years are a unique time in life. Teenagers are outgrowing childhood but have not yet fully developed in a social, cognitive or emotional capacity. Because of the developmental challenges faced by teens, they have specific grief needs that are distinct from both child and adult grief. Grief counselors who work with teens often recommend strengthening their support network. This can include time with not only family, school and faith community, but also time with peers. Teens who have experienced a loss sometimes feel that although family members care about the ..read more

Learn about this invaluable resource before you need it! Most adults will suffer from a serious, life-limiting illness in their lifetime. However, despite the prevalence of these illnesses, over 70 percent of the US population knows little to nothing about palliative care services[i]. Palliative care is specialized, holistic care for people living with serious illness. Unlike traditional medical care, palliative care as a philosophy does not aim to cure illness. Instead, it focuses on the patient’s quality of life. Traditional medical care is hyper-focused on treating an illness. With some il ..read more