Our Way of Caring: Vantage Hospice Podcast [Episode 4] - Coping with Holiday Grief & Traditions

In this episode of the Vantage Hospice podcast, host Nicole welcomes Beth Fortier, the Director of Social Work and Psychosocial Services at Vantage. Beth shares her extensive experience in hospice care and her passion for supporting patients and families. They discuss the emotional challenges of grief during the holiday season, particularly for those with a loved one in hospice care. Beth provides insights on coping mechanisms, maintaining or changing traditions, and the importance of acknowledging one’s feelings.

The episode emphasizes the need for anticipatory grief support, sharing memories, and allowing oneself grace during this tough time.

00:00 Introduction to Vantage Hospice Podcast
00:09 Meet Ms. Beth Fortier
00:45 Discussing Grief and the Holidays
02:28 Anticipatory Grief During the Holidays
04:24 Coping Mechanisms and Traditions
06:53 Personal Stories and Experiences
19:46 Involving Loved Ones in Holiday Festivities
22:56 Final Thoughts and Resources

Helpful Articles by Vantage Hospice & Palliative Care:

• Get-Togethers While Coping with a Terminally Ill Loved One
• Honoring Memories and Sharing Gratitude: Embracing the Spirit of the Holidays Amidst Serious Illness

Vantage Hospice & Palliative Care

Our Mission

Vantage Hospice, LLC is dedicated to providing individualized hospice care with services specially tailored to the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of patients with life limiting illness, their families and the community, by delivering high quality and compassionate care.

We strive to create a culture dedicated to meeting the needs of our patients, families and employees based on the principles of dignity, respect and compassion.

Hospice recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living and focuses on maintaining the quality of remaining life. It affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death through a multidisciplinary team approach. Hospice is not a place. It is philosophy.