WHAT DO WE DO:

1. Necessities of Life Program: We provide direct financial assistance to Hospice Patients across the globe.  Many times when a patient becomes terminally ill, the family suffers tremendous financial burden.  Insurance does not cover all cost.  We are there to help.  Examples of how we help: assist with groceries, mortgage payments, electricity bills, medications & medical supplies/equipment not covered by their hospice agency, funeral & burial expenses. Hospice Agencies must apply through our Grant Request and complete application.

2.  Bereavement Programs: We provide programs for the families and children that assist in the grieving process. (Please see below for more information)

3.  Last Wish Program:  We strive to meet a wish of the patient.  Example:  Young teenage boy wanted University of SC Mascot - Cocky to visit him - not only were we able to make that happen but Cocky brought him a signed football by the Coach.  The boy was in so surprised and happy; we have granted last vacations with family, special dinners at fine restaurants, Birthday & Anniversary celebrations, Beauty/Spa Day, specific toys for children, and more.

4.  Medical Mission Trips:  We travel to under-developed communities in third world countries and promote well-being through a comprehensive continuum of services.  Our goal is to establish long-term relationships that allow us to re-visit these communities in which we work for a period of several years until the community can maintain their medical status independently.  We help establish the Medical Clinic. If you are interested in being a part of one of our Medical Mission Trips, please contact us.  We are in need of volunteers who would like to make a difference!

Hands of Hospice is also a community focused organization. We offer a variety of support services for our community members including support groups for caregivers and those who have lost a loved one. We also offer community education presentations as well as professional education for health care workers. Our memorial services are open to the community.

Caregiver Support
Caring for a loved one who is seriously ill is a challenge. It demands enormous amounts of both physical and emotional energy. It can also be lonely for those who feel they have no one who understands what they’re going through. Hands of Hospice is aware of this challenge and offers support groups for caregivers. The groups are open to anyone in the community.

Attendees may be parents, spouses, children or friends of people suffering from cancer, dementia, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, frailty or any other condition. Attendees can participate at whatever level they feel comfortable. Group leaders also help caregivers find resources in the community for whatever types of assistance their loved ones may need. Call for times and locations.

Grief Support
Family and friends are invited to participate in counselor-led support groups offered. Some participants come simply to listen; others feel comfortable sharing thoughts and feelings. Call for times and locations.

We also have on staff experts in children's bereavement who can work with children and their parents to understand the special effects of grief and loss on the young.

We can offer brief private counseling to those who need an extra helping hand in coping with their loss. Our counselors assist families in crisis and help identify resources in the community for longer-term, one-on-one assistance.

Children’s In-School Bereavement Services
At Hands of Hospice, we understand that children have unique reactions to grief and loss. They need guidance to navigate their complex feelings and to understand loss in the larger contexts of their lives and family relationships. As young persons with limited life experiences, our children need special tools to cope with grief. It is our mission to provide them.

Our services, designed for children ages 5-18, provide support and companionship to children who are grieving the loss of a parent, sibling, friend or relative through illness, accident, suicide or homicide. With the help of trained counselors, bereaved children are given an opportunity to move through their unique experience of loss in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. All services are offered free of charge.

We provide:

Children’s grief workshops held in Richland & Lexington County schools (public and private) during the school day for children of similar ages and similar losses. Workshop activities include art projects, videos, storybook discussions and the sharing of photos and memories as a way to express emotions and concerns in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.
School assistance during times of crisis (for example, the death of a student or teacher).
Defusing sessions with children exposed to a traumatic event.
Consultations with parents to help them support their child in age-appropriate ways.
Individual support for children anticipating a loss through illness and death, or when a group is not currently available for a bereaved child.
Community education on children's grief issues.

Who we serve:

Any youth, aged 5-18, who is grieving the loss of a loved one.
Children who are facing the anticipated loss of a significant -person as a result of illness or death.
Children who have been exposed to a traumatic event which resulted in death or
severe harm to another.
School personnel who want assistance with crisis intervention when there
has been a death of a student or faculty member.
Parents of bereaved children.
For more information about this service or to speak to a counselor, call (803)794-3669.