Exploration and development of bereavement care for older people.

Stephen, Audrey I.

Abstract

The rising population of older people in the UK (Office for National Statistics 2010) and pressure on healthcare services to reduce costs indicate the necessity of developing strategies that enable coping and independence. Loss through death of close family members, partners and friends is a key factor that inhibits physical, emotional and social well being of older people. The research carried out for this thesis explored bereavement in healthcare settings where contacts with bereaved older people commonly occur, and used data collected to develop guidelines for practice. The guidelines provide research informed enhancement to bereavement care and develop opportunities for meaningful interactions. They complement current policy development work on bereavement in healthcare settings (The Scottish Government 2011). A qualitative design drawing on phenomenological methodology was used to explore healthcare staffs experiences of caring for bereaved older people, and older peoples experiences of being bereaved and bereavement care. Theoretical sampling took place to recruit staff from a range of roles in general practice and community nursing, hospital wards and care homes, as well as a small sample of bereaved older people. Thirty nine participants took part in in-depth interviews that yielded four key themes: bereavement care depends on a relationship between healthcare staff and relatives; preparation for a relatives death may not equate to preparedness for bereavement; the Open Door to bereavement care is only slightly ajar, and bereavement care supports progression of the Rolling Ball of life. The themes informed development of the guidelines in terms of structure and content. Recommendation statements consider bereavement care before the death; at the time of the death; and follow up in the weeks and months afterwards. Criteria in the recommendations provide suggestions for enhancements to practice that facilitate appropriate response to bereavement in older people. Consultation on the guidelines provided positive feedback that identified the potential to promote consistent interactions with bereaved older people, respond to needs and support coping. The main text of the thesis is in the file 'STEPHEN 2011 Exploration and development'. The ZIP file 'STEPHEN 2011 Bereavement care for older people' contains supplementary material.

Citation

STEPHEN, A.I. 2011. Exploration and development of bereavement care for older people. Robert Gordon University, PhD thesis.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 15, 2011
• Keywords: Older people; Bereavement care; Health services; Qualitative; Guidelines; Evidence based practice
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/658
• Contract Date: Aug 15, 2011
• Award Date: May 31, 2011