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The E-Series: Life After Loss – How Caregiving Impacts the Grief Journey

The average caregiving experience lasts nearly 5 years, but the impact of that experience does not stop with the loss. In this episode, we welcome Kirsten Goard - one of Hospice of the Piedmont's bereavement counselors - and Executive Director of Caregiver Connect, Alexis Williams, for a meaningful conversation focused on how caregiving impacts the grief journey. Together, Kirsten and Alexis explore the wide variety of emotions caregivers may experience following the loss of their loved one, how relationships with family members can change as the caregiving role ends, and the importance of caring for yourself both during and after a loss.

Sep 3, 2024

Click the link below to listen to this episode.

Hospice of the Piedmont · The E-Series: How Caregiving Impacts The Grief Journey

Show Notes:

Episode Guests:

Kirsten Goard, Bereavement Counselor, Hospice of the Piedmont
Kirsten Goard, MSW, LCSW-A, is a native of Greensboro, NC. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Appalachian State University followed by a Master of Social Work through a joint program between the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In addition, Kirsten is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate. She joined Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph as a bereavement counselor with prior experience in crisis work and grief counseling in the healthcare setting. Kirsten believes that grief is universal and impacts all of us. She has a strong conviction to break the stigma that grief is something we should “get over” and is dedicating her career to meeting clients where they are and equipping them with lasting strategies for coping with grief.

Alexis Williams, Executive Director, Caregiver Connect
Alexis Williams is the Executive Director of Caregiver Connect, Inc. Caregiver Connect, Inc.’s mission is to serve family caregivers by hosting free educational opportunities, provide monthly Caregiver Encounter Groups, and provide supportive caregiver navigation. Her previous experiences as a senior advocate, social worker, Respite Care Director, placement specialist, and Care Manager are great building blocks to the mission of Caregiver Connect, Inc. She received her Bachelor of Mental Health & Human Services from Georgia State University. She has an undergraduate Certificate in Gerontology and is a Certified Senior Advisor.

For more information about Caregiver Connect, click here to visit their website.

During this podcast, Alexis discusses a wide-variety of administrative tasks that are important following the death of a loved one that can at times feel overwhelming. We’ve created a checklist to help you complete important tasks during the first month after a loss. To view the list, click here or on the image below.

Your entire team was amazing. They are very professional in their work but also have big hearts and it comes through in how they do their work and in their positive attitudes.

- Daughter of patient

Thank you for making your home like her home, warm and comfortable.

- Sister of a patient (in reference to Hospice Home)

Your kindness and efforts go far beyond the patients and extend to their families and friends.

- Family of a patient

Everyone who cared for my wife was, without exception, caring, kind, and exceptionally capable individuals who seemed to truly care about her well-being and care.

- Husband of a patient

Your staff (at Hospice Home) was confident, thoughtful, kind and very loving to my mom. When we couldn’t be there or take care of her needs, you took care of her.

- Son of a patient

My mother spent her last days in your facility. I want to thank you for the gifts you gave to her and our family. The dignity, caring, professionalism, and kindness will remain a bright part of our saying goodbye to our mother.

- Daughter of a patient

My family and I would not have made it without Hospice.

- Daughter of a patient

For many veterans, military service is the most important thing that they have done in their lives. As part of We Honor Veterans, those patients are now paired with a volunteer who also served in the military and share a common bond.

- Joe Lyons, Hospice volunteer

Thank you for all of your care, concern, education and kindness during Mom’s last year. My grief journey has had a lighter backpack because of Hospice.

- A patient’s daughter

Their touch, their time, their words were the comfort of a lifetime.

- A patient’s family

We were privileged to have the support of (Hospice)…They nurtured and cared for my husband as if he was their only patient.

- Wife of a patient

Me consuela saber que mi esposa tuvo los mejores cuidados gracias a Hospice. La ayudaron a ella y a nuestra familia en todas las maneras posibles.

- Marido de un paciente

I thank God for putting good people in the right job for people like me.

- Patient family member

We were so impressed by your staff and your desire to help us. No one wants to need Hospice, but when a person does, it is a tremendous blessing. Thanks again for the care you gave my dad, and ultimately all of us.

- Daughter of a patient

I would like to say that you have a beautiful Hospice Home. It is so nice and serene. I love the “quiet spots” that you can go to and meditate. Thank you so much in helping make my mother’s last days on this earth a little better and comforting.

- Daughter of a patient