Bereavement Professional

Maribeth,

This is almost identical to the internal process we use. Our system is focused on the timing of when we reach out to prospective clients.

We recently changed our protocol and I am wondering if this is enough as well. 

We do the following 

if low risk condolence card goes out and we send out a letter introducing bereavement derives along with some supportive information and a postcard that can be returned outlining services that can be requested by individual for self or others in family - once received we then provide services requested - group individual mailing resources Etc and mailings continue at month six and then at end of 12/13 months and last mailing includes letter about end of formal support period and invites contact if needed etc

medium risk same as above and an initial call within first month and if no reply mailings continue as scheduled also at call invite call back if no direct contact and ippottunity for individual support

high risk support can start as anticipatory grief or at time of loss with call and request that pt come in for assessment and counseling support and if no response or stated non interest document and continue mailings as scheduled and try to call again 

we used to call all bereaved within month one then again at months 3 6 9 and at end of care cycles and mailings were the same and we sent an attempt to each letter if no contact at month 3 asking for call back 

we were finding we were reaching very few on the phone and getting less than 3% retuned calls so have now moved to new system as stated above - we are a small hospice and I serve as bereavement coordinator social work director very meant counselor and now also volunteer director 

we mail at start of bereavement period - month one within unless high risk the call and Mail sooner 

-month 5/6 mail agin postcard and suport info 

month 12/13 final mailing with support info and closure letter etc

would be curious to hear feedback also feedback on group attendance as we get very little attendance and if you utilize volunteers other than to prepare mailings - at this time info all calls muskeg and chart entries in all mailings and contacts we do not use volunteers for calls

thabj you 

Dana 

We also have 3 plans (low, medium, and high.) We prefer to use the language "anticipated level of support" because we want to include the bereaved's desire for support in addition to their risk factors.

Low Anticipated Support (Condolence Contact within 2 weeks of the death and  monthly bereavement mailings. The condolence contact can be attendance at a visitation/funeral, or a personal phone call/visit.)

Medium Anticipated Support (Condolence Contact within 2 weeks of the death, 6-week assessment from the bereavement coordinator, monthly mailings).

High Anticipated Support (Condolence Contact within 10 days of the death, 4-week assessment from the bereavement coordinator, monthly mailings).

With all of these plans, we talk to the bereaved about the frequency of additional calls and visits when we contact them. We want to make sure that they are collaborators with their bereavement plan of care. This means that someone that is only "medium risk" may still receive in person visits. Or it may mean that someone that is "high risk" will not receive any interpersonal connection if they request no further contact. 

We also offer e-mail support, and this has helped us reach some people that do not want to talk on the phone. 
I think it's important that a member of the original care team conduct the condolence contact as it provides a means for closure for that part of hospice service. Additionally, I think it's important from then on to have a bereavement coordinator provide the bereavement support so that there is consistency with the relationship, as well as a qualified professional providing interventions and support. We use volunteers only when we can properly match them and have regular in-person visits.

We automatically do a Condolence Call by day 3. If the family member doesn't answer and is a lower risk, I just leave a voice mail message with a return phone number. Then I call back in about 3 weeks. If the family member is a moderate risk, I will probably try and call within the first 2 days after the death. If I don't reach anyone, I will leave a message with my number and try again the next week. If the family member is high risk, I will call them the day of the death or the next day. If I don't reach them, I will try again for the next couple of days. Then again in a week or so, if I still get no answer. I always leave a return phone number.

I send out a "welcome" letter between 10-14 days after the death, so the bereaved have all of my contact information. I do a Bereavement Assessment call at 3-4 weeks on everyone.  After that, unless I see the need for more contact, I continue my outreach by mail. I then call again on the 1 year anniversary.

I hope this helps.