1
Q
Why is Self-preparation Important?
A
- Death, in our contemporary, media conscious culture, is unavoidable
- Only recently we have begun to attend to the emotional impact that loss and grief
- As professionals and in our work it is important to review our own experiences not only in order to understand and respond effectively to the grief of others
- But also to ensure that we are adequately aware of, and attending to, our own grief
- Awareness of our own grief is important in order to respond effectively to others’ grief and attend to our own grief reactions
2
Q
The Impact of Our Own Losses on Our Work with Clients
A
- Certain losses experienced by others will remind us of our own losses
- Our own losses can revisit us, triggered by a familiar smell, expression, or experience
- Acknowledge feelings related to loss, yet allow ourselves to be free enough to feel new feelings for new people and relationships
3
Q
Our Readiness to Address Grief in Our Work
A
- The more aware we are, the more able we will be to identify when a client’s situation is making us feel uncomfortable and what to do about it
- Self-awareness can also increase our capacity to understand and empathize with others the unique responses of others to loss.
4
Q
Limited Preparation and Support for Grief in Organizations
A
- In many medical settings, death is viewed as the enemy
- and the needs of grieving staff are acknowledged only through brief bereavement
- with little or no formal support for processing grief
- Evidence-based models for preparation & staff support aren’t always practiced
5
Q
Recognition of the Impact of Grief on Caregivers is Increasing
A
- The U.S. military now recognizes
- The intensity of caring for physically injured combat personnel
- and the grief that results from working so closely with loss and death
6
Q
Increased Staff Support Needed
A
- Often those who receive the least support for their grief are helping professionals
- 72% of long term care staff in one study experienced at least one grief-related symptom in the month prior to the survey
- 96% said they would use additional support services if they were offered
7
Q
Sources of Education and Support
A
- Professional organizations (Nursing, social work, education, rehabilitation)
- Mentors
- Supervision
- Peer consultation
- Organizations devoted to grief and loss or related fields (NHPCO, ADEC)
8
Q
Secondary (vicarious) Trauma
A
- Sometimes called vicarious trauma, results from hearing the traumatic details
- In stories of trauma survivors
- It can occur in professionals who are exposed to the trauma of others through their work
9
Q
Training and Support Important
A
- In attorneys, mental health workers, & social service workers, attorneys had
- Higher levels of secondary trauma than other professionals; lack of training attorneys
- Receive working with traumatized clients
- Positive work environment reduce secondary trauma for social workers & prevent burnout
10
Q
Self-assessment and Self-care
A
- Supervisors, peers, and consultants can help us to recognize
- When our own reactions may be distressed
- We may not always recognize when our avoidance, anger, or tearfulness is a reaction to the distress we have witnessed in our clients or students.
11
Q
Collaboration
A
- Interdisciplinary team: Professionals from
- Different disciplines with a formal structure for communication & collaboration
- Multidisciplinary team: Different disciplines
- Work together; not formally est. structure
- To facilitate communication and collaboration
12
Q
Competencies Established by
Supportive Care for the Dying
A
- Competency in aspects of care of those facing end of life issues include the ability to:
- Support clients in their expression of emotional needs; Actively listen
- Refer to support groups, peer support programs and professional experts
- Open-ended questions: “how are you doing?”
Grief & Loss
flashcards
Decks in class (8)
# Cards
