Bereavement Professional

  • 1.  How is your program presented patients and/or bereaved??

    Posted 03-15-2024 10:20 AM

    Currently, we're in the midst of standardizing our bereavement processes. Our discussions have primarily revolved around how we present our services to families and how the title "Bereavement Coordinator" is perceived within our system. Admittedly, the feedback hasn't been overwhelmingly positive. Therefore, I'm eager to hear your thoughts on the following:

    • The materials you provide-such as brochures, leaflets, etc.
    • The timing of when you offer our services-upon admission or as the dying process becomes imminent?
    • How your organization includes the Bereavement Professional in the IDG meeting. 
    • We are considering referring to Social Work, Spiritual Support, and Bereavement collectively as "Family Support Services."
    • Lastly, the openness to exploring an evidence-based assessment tailored specifically to Bereavement, rather than using a ranking system of High, Medium, Low Risk?


  • 2.  RE: How is your program presented patients and/or bereaved??

    Posted 03-15-2024 02:22 PM

    This is such a thoughtful post.  I am looking forward to the input of others on this.  I have only been in this position for a few months, but I'll put my two cents in on a few things.

    • We introduce bereavement services after death.  They get mentioned in a condolence call and are  explained in more detail during the initial 30 day assessment.  
    • I have also struggled with introducing myself on the phone as a bereavement coordinator.  It is not a word I hear in common usage.  I have experimented with "Grief Support Services", but I really like your idea of "Family Support Services" and look forward to trying that on for size.
    • We use a modified bereavement risk index to get our scores.  There are journal articles that support that as a valid way to determine a risk score.  
      • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49281081_Evaluation_of_the_Bereavement_Risk_Index_BRI_a_community_hospice_care_protocol

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  • 3.  RE: How is your program presented patients and/or bereaved??

    Posted 03-21-2024 09:22 AM

    Cale and Burl, 

    I am curious about more input from others regarding the title "Bereavement Coordinator." Bereavement is definitely not in everyday nomenclature, and I often find I introduce myself as "Grief Support Person from the hospice team."  Though I appreciate the idea of "Family Support" I think it lacks clarity.  Grief is something that I am passionate about normalizing as an experience, particularly in the Midwest where culturally it is something many are taught to stuff or not share.  By being clear and explaining bereavement as "grief support" it not only normalizes grief but contributes to the greater clarity of what bereavement services are. 


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  • 4.  RE: How is your program presented patients and/or bereaved??

    Posted 03-21-2024 09:31 AM

    The primary caregiver for each of our patients receives a caregiver handbook our agency created. Included in that is information on bereavement services. Typically, the social worker or chaplain makes the After Death call to the family and mentions that a bereavement counselor will call them in about 6 weeks. An initial packet of bereavement material including our brochure, newsletter and letter offering condolences  and introducing  bereavement services is sent 2 weeks after the death. The initial bereavement call is made at 6 weeks, unless the social worker identified a need to call sooner. We have found that early outreach to the family is rarely helpful as they are busy or not ready to talk to anyone. At IDG meetings the bereavement counselor reviews the deaths and team can share any bereavement concerns. As current patients are reviewed, counselors can offer input on supports for the caregiver.



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    Elaine Ostrum, Hospice & Community Care, Lancaster, PA, USA
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  • 5.  RE: How is your program presented patients and/or bereaved??

    Posted 03-18-2024 11:15 AM
    • The materials you provide-such as brochures, leaflets, etc.
    • The timing of when you offer our services-upon admission or as the dying process becomes imminent?
    • How your organization includes the Bereavement Professional in the IDG meeting. 
    • We are considering referring to Social Work, Spiritual Support, and Bereavement collectively as "Family Support Services."

    Lastly, the openness to exploring an evidence-based assessment tailored specifically to Bereavement, rather than using a ranking system of High, Medium, Low Risk?

     

    We have 6 internally written letters and newsletters that are mailed over the course of the 13-month program which are well received.  We also send children and teen materials when requested and miscellaneous according to the need.

     

    We talk about bereavement from the very beginning as part of the admissions process and our staff may refer to these services as they interact with patient and family over the course of time on service as needed.  And then of course at the time of death.  These services are also part of our patient handbook which families receive at admission. 

     

    Bereavement coordinator attends every IDT

     

    Hospice generally emphasizes the different roles of social work, spiritual support and bereavement I believe to primarily keep the responsibilities of each discipline clear and because they each have an important expertise and training.  Even though some responsibilities can overlap a little, the majority do not and I would caution putting them under one title to avoid muddling those divisions which have their purpose and to utilize staff primarily according to their qualifications.

    ________________________________________
    Linda White
    Coord, Bereavement

    Heart to Heart Hospice of Fort Worth LLC
    6100 Southwest Blvd., Ste. 200
    Fort Worth, TX 76109

    Phone: (817) 731-9700
    Fax:      (817) 731-9708
    Cell:     (817) 789-9238

     




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  • 6.  RE: How is your program presented patients and/or bereaved??

    Posted 03-20-2024 04:27 PM
    Our program is very similar to yours Linda.  And we also try to distinguish between the important yet different roles of bereavement, social work and chaplaincy.  

    I think that one of the things I've learned working in hospice is that most programs have similarities and differences.  What might work well for one, may not for another.  Sometimes it's trial and error.  As long as you're fulfilling all of the required pieces, there's some room for creativity.  That's why I love this community and getting input from so many different people in similar roles!

     

    Lori M.Williams, MSW, LISW

    Social Worker/Bereavement Counselor

    St. Luke's Hospice Duluth

     

    220 North 6th Ave East | Duluth, MN 55805

    Phone: 218-249-6102| Fax: 218-249-6166

    Cell: 218-349-4397

    I typically work Monday-Thursday and am off on Fridays.  

    Lori.Williams2@slhduluth.com

    www.slhduluth.com/hospice

     

     

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  • 7.  RE: How is your program presented patients and/or bereaved??

    Posted 03-21-2024 11:55 AM
    ours are also very similar with mailings (with their agreement) --
    • condolence card
    • initial mailing introducing bereavement services
    • 3,6, 9, & 13 months that include Hope Through Healing brochures                      and a bereavement bulletin created internally
    • anniversary card
    • final 13 month mailing letting them know that they can contact us for information for support groups or other support

    Bereavement Services created a trifold brochure that staff can provide to families either at admission or transition, when patient is actively dying, or at a bereavement visit – their discretion - that lets them know what we offer and what they can find in 
    the community, how grief may impact them.  We advise of more specific resources in the community for children's grief, suicide loss (if a community member calls looking for support), etc.  This is covered in a new hire orientation.

    Hope that's helpful,

    Veronica M. Ibarra, MS, FT, BCC

    Bereavement Coordinator

    Presbyterian Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care

    Albuquerque, NM

    Bereavement Services: 505-559-7055

    Cell: 505-377-1601

    Hospice Main: 505-559-1000


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