Bereavement Support Flashcards
What are the immediate steps following a death?
Stop and evaluate = does anything need to be done immediately?
Do the procurator fiscal or police need to be called?
Always offer family time to spend with the baby
What does memory building depend on?
Whether baby has been home or if they have stayed in a neonatal unit
Why is memory building important?
Core part of grief and allows people to move on more easily
What are some examples of memory building?
Memory box, bathing/dressing, photos, gifts, blankets, clothes, hand and footprints, videos, baby diary
Are parents allowed to take the baby home?
Yes = some parents want to take baby home up to 10 days before the funeral and are given a special cold cot
Why is high quality bereavement care important?
Health professionals only have one opportunity to provide care that will foster wellbeing
What is grief?
Individual and personal response to grief = transformational process where the bereaved adjust to life without the deceased
What are the stages of grief?
Denial, anger, depression, bargaining and acceptance
What are some effects of grief?
Sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, physical pain, malaise, lack of concentration, anxiety, helplessness, guilt, yearning
At what point do symptoms of grief become most pronounced?
After 30 months
What are the psychosocial impacts of grief?
Relationship difficulties, pre-occupied with grief so other children overlooked, child envy of others, withdrawal from society
What can people suffering from grief go on to develop?
30% develop PTSD and complicated grief syndrome
What patients are bereavement services available?
Miscarriage > 14 weeks gestation
Termination of pregnancy
Stillbirth = 24 weeks to term
Neonatal death within 28 days or in NICU
What are some features of bereavement care?
Liaison with hospital and health professionals
Telephone support
Home visits
All patient led
When is counselling offered?
If grief complications are detected = usually offered after 6 months to 1 year
