Resident Passing thoughts

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I work at 2 facilities as a CNA. I am also nursing student in my final semester. One of the facilities I work at embraces resident passing. They have a quilt made by the residents for that purpose. Residents are not shuttered in rooms when the passed resident is moved. If we know that certain residents were close to the person we permit them to say goodbye. They leave the same door they went in.

The other facility I work at does the exact opposite. I hate it. Residents door is closed. Roommate removed. All residents removed from the hall when passed resident is leaving. No goodbyes. I want to get this facility to change this. To me there is no dignity in this procedure. I feel it shames death. I have also noticed that residents have a harder time understanding what happened.

Does anyone know of any pertinent research to this? I am also exploring this topic for my senior project, as i want to work in LTC. What do your facilities do? What are your thoughts?

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Fascinating topic! And I admire your concern for something very under-addressed. Supporting your thinking - why wouldn't an A&O NH resident want to respect the passing of another resident (esp a roommate or tablemate)? Kind of like one neighbor in a community sending a card or flowers or attending a viewing/funeral for a neighbor. We do it, so why not them?

I like the facility that embraces the end of life as part of the proverbial 'circle of life'. You might want to look into the 'death & dying' literature. Kubler-Ross was a pioneer in the field and she was an 'master' way beck when I was schooling. Also 'grief & grieving' literature might be of interest. Haven't checked out any thanatology literature in a long time.

Might you run your ideas past the Social Worker at your 2nd place? Sometimes someone brings topics to Resident Council for the residents' opinion and they might approve. And if residents want something, management/admin usually takes note, esp if it makes the minutes of the Resident Council meeting as 'open' topic.

Good luck with your continued studies. And your future career.

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Specializes in LTC & home care.

I've worked in several facilities and they were all hush-hush about resident deaths. Roommate was removed, door closed, body taken out the nearest door (never the front). It never occurred to me that it could be handled differently. I think allowing residents to say goodbye is a great idea, as long as it's handled appropriately. After all, most of them won't get the chance to attend the funeral. They also get close to the resident's family, who they may never see again, so they need closure in that respect as well (as long as the family's wishes are respected - some of them may prefer to grieve privately).

I don't like the thought of taking a body out the front door in full view of residents and visitors though. Death is a natural part of life, and we as nurses understand that, but I think it might be insensitive to residents who don't want to be reminded that they'll be going out that way also. If the deceased resident's friends are permitted to pay their respects, I don't think it's shameful or undignified for the funeral home to discreetly remove the body afterward.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I visited one place that had a glassed-in 'memorial bulletin board" discreetly hung in a corner near the living room/reading area. Visible but very low-keyed and respectful. The deceased pt pix were posted and then removed after a short period. It was something the residents had wanted. Tastefully done and maintained by the SW.

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In a lot of Veterans Home when a Veteran passes their gurney is draped with a flag from their military branch or a patriotic quilt and then the staff, family, volunteers and other Veterans line to halls to help escort the Veteran out the front door as a wonderful ceremony.

The families are given closure and the Veteran is given a final respect.

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Cruella de ville said:

In a lot of Veterans Home when a Veteran passes their gurney is draped with a flag from their military branch or a patriotic quilt and then the staff, family, volunteers and other Veterans line to halls to help escort the Veteran out the front door as a wonderful ceremony.

The families are given closure and the Veteran is given a final respect.

Yes, it is called the final salute.

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