Date

12-2025

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Health, Human Services and Public Policy

Major

Collaborative Health and Human Services

Abstract

Hospice of the Central Coast (HCC), a division of Montage Health, delivers high-quality end-of-life care and bereavement support to adults and families in Monterey and select areas of San Benito County. This capstone project sought to address the disparities by developing and implementing an eight-week bereavement support group curriculum translated and adapted for Spanish-Speaking Latino families. Despite the organization’s longstanding commitment to compassionate and inclusive healthcare, internal data reveal substantial gaps in service for the latino population: of 628 patients served in 2023, only 47 patients were of Hispanic or Latino origin. This discrepancy stems from ingrained barriers such as: language differences, limited culturally relevant outreach, and stigma surrounding mental health and grief in Spanish-speaking communities. The consequences include underutilization of bereavement services, increased caregiver fatigue, and heightened risk for unresolved grief and associated mental health issues. By translating and culturally adapting bereavement resources, HCC aims to bridge critical gaps in care, promote healthy grieving among Latino families, and strengthen the organization's role as a resource for underrepresented communities. The intervention provides a replicable model for expanding culturally sensitive hospice and bereavement care, ultimately contributing to improved emotional, mental, and social well-being for Monterey County's Hispanic community.

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