Since its founding in 1982, Hospice of Central Ohio has offered grief support services to the community. Now, the not-for-profit organization is expanding its grief support services to offer additional services to patients, families and community members through Pathways of Hope^SM.

Through this program, the grief support professionals at Hospice of Central Ohio will be able to work with other bereavement counseling professionals at Ohio’s Hospice to bring additional knowledge and information to the central Ohio communities it serves.

“We’re honored to be able to offer Pathways of Hope to the families and community members we serve in central Ohio,” said Renee Sparks, general manager and executive vice president of Hospice of Central Ohio. “Through Pathways of Hope, we will be better able to support the ever-growing needs of those we are privileged to serve.”

As Hospice of Central Ohio has grown over the years, it has continued to provide grief support to families. All grief support services are free, regardless of whether an individual has been served by Hospice of Central Ohio.

Maria Johnson, MSW, LISW-S, ACHP-SW, GC-C, manager of patient and family support services at Hospice of Central Ohio, is thrilled that the not-for-profit hospice is offering Pathways of Hope to the families and community members it serves.

“Through Ohio’s Hospice and Pathways of Hope, we can share input, experiences and resources with each other to develop best practices in our field,” she said. “By doing this we can spend more time focusing on our mission and helping to provide the best quality of care possible to the people we serve.”

The Pathways of Hope staff at Hospice of Central Ohio seek to understand what is needed for each individual as they navigate the grief process, and to assist with an effective plan to cope with this life change.

“We offer education and support to help navigate the grief process,” Johnson said. “This includes phone calls, mailings and visits. Grief support services can provide a much needed bridge over the difficult days, weeks and months following a loss.”

Johnson and her team offer ongoing support groups at its various locations. Hospice of Central Ohio has offices in Newark, Columbus, Lancaster and Zanesville.

“Our grief support groups provide a place where understanding, encouragement and practical suggestions are readily found,” she said. “The support groups are open to anyone in the community who is coping with the loss of a loved one.”

Hospice of Central Ohio partners with local schools to offer in-school support groups during the school year. This partnership has helped Hospice of Central Ohio develop Camp HOCO, a successful summer kids camp program. The camp has been offered for the past 22 years in the Newark area.

“Generous support from members of the community and community-based partners is essential to our ability to extend grief support services,” Sparks said. “We’re grateful to the individuals and community-based partners who support the mission of Hospice of Central Ohio.”

Pathways of Hope is one example of how Hospice of Central Ohio is continuing to add additional services in the communities it serves. “We’re committed to providing superior care and superior services to each patient and family in the nine counties we serve in central Ohio,” Sparks said. “Through exceptional support services, such as Pathways of Hope, we’re able to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.”

For more information about Pathways of Hope or to schedule an appointment with a Pathways of Hope bereavement counseling professional at Hospice of Central Ohio, call 740.788.1400.

Hospice of Central Ohio, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice, has provided a holistic, community-based approach to hospice care since 1982. With locations in Newark, Columbus, Lancaster and Zanesville, the not-for-profit organization serves nine counties in central Ohio and is dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses. In addition, two inpatient care centers at Licking Memorial Hospital and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are available for symptom management.