Helping Families Deal With Death

[pwg1219]

I am a volunteer with a hospice organization and see families struggling with this issue. How do you help a family get through this difficult period in a healthy way?

[leslie :-D]

i need to bring my son to the doctor, but in a nutshell:

by listening, more listening, encouraging dialogue and a whole lot of love.

leslie

[RN4Little1s]

Reading the family - some just want your hand on their shoulder, or others want comforting words. If you do something and it seems to help, keep doing it. Make sure they have a support system to help them deal. Get a chaplain/whatever relgious preference involved if they are religious. Listen to them. And don't say "you understand what they are going through" unless you really DO and have been through the same thing yourself.

[MisterSimba, BSN]

If I'm volunteering and see family members with a dying patient, I'll periodically stop by the room and ask if they need anything, even if it's just a cup of tea or juice. I'm sure many family members are so exhausted/upset that they forget to eat, so I always ask if anyone wants me to get them some tea or food, etc.

[SunnyAndrsn]

I am a volunteer with a hospice organization and see families struggling with this issue. How do you help a family get through this difficult period in a healthy way?

Grief is a dynamic process, taking time (varies from person to person), and for-knowledge of death lends itself to a delayed, often drawn out grief process.

Most families will cope/deal in a healthy way, look at outward signs of coping and listen to what they are telling you.

Are they getting things done at home (basic housekeeping, paying bills, etc)

Are they talking about their feelings, or are they ignoring what's going on.

I hope this helps...as others have said, the best thing you can do is to be an active listener.