Bereavement Professional

Hello!  We're evaluating our bereavement program and I'd like to get a sense of how other hospices individualize the bereavement care plan based on the assessed bereavement risk level.  For example, what is your baseline bereavement contacts for all bereaved?  And then how do the contacts/interventions change based on a medium or high risk level?

Thank you in advance!

I would say that level of risk is just one factor to consider in determining frequency of follow up contacts. Some low risk bereaved clients ask for continued check in calls. Our frequency for routine low risk follow up calls is quarterly contacts. Other low risk bereaved may only want mailings. Some moderate to high risk individuals may request a visit with a counselor and could benefit from several subsequent visits at intervals decided on together. Other moderate or high risk individuals may have complicated factors that warrant referring them to other community professionals for ongoing therapy. Our bereavement counselors do not provide that, so even though the individual is high risk, they may only get mailings from us, because they were referred elsewhere for more intensive support.

Hello!  We're evaluating our bereavement program and I'd like to get a sense of how other hospices individualize the bereavement care plan based on the assessed bereavement risk level.  For example, what is your baseline bereavement contacts for all bereaved?  And then how do the contacts/interventions change based on a medium or high risk level?

Thank you in advance!

Hello!  We're evaluating our bereavement program and I'd like to get a sense of how other hospices individualize the bereavement care plan based on the assessed bereavement risk level.  For example, what is your baseline bereavement contacts for all bereaved?  And then how do the contacts/interventions change based on a medium or high risk level?

Thank you in advance!

Hi Katy, our baseline is to contact each person to provide a bereavement assessment. When we initiate the first call depends on the level of risk and then subsequent calls are based on the individuals assessment. Our higher risks we try to call within a couple weeks and gradually increases with risk level. Everyone receives mailings unless they decline them. Further follow up is individualized and based on assessed need.

Hello!  We're evaluating our bereavement program and I'd like to get a sense of how other hospices individualize the bereavement care plan based on the assessed bereavement risk level.  For example, what is your baseline bereavement contacts for all bereaved?  And then how do the contacts/interventions change based on a medium or high risk level?

Thank you in advance!

Thanks for your response on this!  This is helpful.

Hi Katy, our baseline is to contact each person to provide a bereavement assessment. When we initiate the first call depends on the level of risk and then subsequent calls are based on the individuals assessment. Our higher risks we try to call within a couple weeks and gradually increases with risk level. Everyone receives mailings unless they decline them. Further follow up is individualized and based on assessed need.

Hello!  We're evaluating our bereavement program and I'd like to get a sense of how other hospices individualize the bereavement care plan based on the assessed bereavement risk level.  For example, what is your baseline bereavement contacts for all bereaved?  And then how do the contacts/interventions change based on a medium or high risk level?

Thank you in advance!

Our guideline is to contact every bereaved by phone to assess their needs, offer mailings, limited individual support, and information about our virtual grief support group meetings. Depending on the assessment, bereavement risk level, and the openness to support, calls may be made by a volunteer for low risk or bereavement coordinator for medium or high risk. We may refer to outside resources for therapy, in-person groups, or groups tailored to their specific needs -- children's grief, for example.

Thanks for your response on this!  This is helpful.

Hi Katy, our baseline is to contact each person to provide a bereavement assessment. When we initiate the first call depends on the level of risk and then subsequent calls are based on the individuals assessment. Our higher risks we try to call within a couple weeks and gradually increases with risk level. Everyone receives mailings unless they decline them. Further follow up is individualized and based on assessed need.

Hello!  We're evaluating our bereavement program and I'd like to get a sense of how other hospices individualize the bereavement care plan based on the assessed bereavement risk level.  For example, what is your baseline bereavement contacts for all bereaved?  And then how do the contacts/interventions change based on a medium or high risk level?

Thank you in advance!

Hello!  We're evaluating our bereavement program and I'd like to get a sense of how other hospices individualize the bereavement care plan based on the assessed bereavement risk level.  For example, what is your baseline bereavement contacts for all bereaved?  And then how do the contacts/interventions change based on a medium or high risk level?

Thank you in advance!