Glad you raised the question! First of all, Barbara Karnes is an RN, not a master's level grief counselor. Second, she is self promoting the booklet she authored, hoping hospices would purchase them for their clients. Third, if you follow what she suggests, there is no assessment by a grief counselor, the volunteer jumps in from the beginning and she's assuming everyone is at high risk. This may or may not be the case. All grief is traumatic initially....she is being assumptive that all bereaved WANT weekly check ins when she recommends a volunteer say "I'll be checking in with you once a week for a while." ??!!!! And later she says "the volunteer determines through the develloped relationship how often to check in??!!! No, the grief counselor makes that determination and should be reviewing each and every contact the volunteer has with the bereaved!
She later says "bereavement support groups are a tough sell under normal circumstances." Not necessarily if they are set up and promoted appropriately. We have many bereaved who are so appreciative of our Zoom groups they are saying they'd prefer continuing this way instead of going back to face to face groups. They feel comfortable in their own environment and appreciate not having to drive elsewhere. We already are planning to continue Zoom groups even when we are back face to face because as the winter months return, those who never attended evening groups because they didn't want to drive at night will now have an alternative option.
Please don't assume just because something is in print it is accurate information. Also remember that although, yes, this pandemic will complicate everyone's grief for a long time to come (great job security for us! :-) ) people are innatetly resilient and, with our availability, guidance and resources we share with them they will figure it out , adapt to the loss and eventually get on with their life once again.
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Patti Anewalt, Director
Pathways Center for Grief & Loss
Hospice & Community Care
Mount Joy, PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-27-2020 18:39
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: Bereavement Support in the time of COVID-19
This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
I just read an article by Barbara Karnes, RN where she suggested that Bereavement support be ramped up and is proposing "Daily Volunteer calls and Weekly SW calls to the Primary Bereaved." As I read this, I was quite overwhelmed.
We are a small in home hospice with a current census of 40. I am the sole Bereavement Department, per diem, carrying 205 families.
Below is the link:
https://bkbooks.com/blogs/something-to-think-about/bereavement-support-is-important-at-any-time-now-its-vital?utm_source=BkBooks+Newsletter&utm_campaign=fa77256742-Bereavement_Support_Is_Important_At_5_19_2020&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9ffb5b18f-fa77256742-201721689&ct=t(Bereavement_Support_Is_Important_At_5_19_2020)&mc_cid=fa77256742&mc_eid=67b204875a
We added a COVID-19 Bereavement Letter to our mailings in early May with the insert from whatsyourgrief.com "Grief and Loss in the Time of COVID-19." It went out to 200 families and has been added as 4 week mailing for all current families indefinitely. A followup telephone call is being made between 4-6 weeks post death. It references the 3 week Intro to Bereavement Services and 4 week COVID-19 mailings.
We do not have the Volunteer nor SW personnel to do daily/weekly calls. I personally think it is overkill. I am curious of others thoughts on this.