Loss and Grief

Question 0

Maturational Loss

Answer 0

• any change in developmental process
• normally expected
• ex. empty nest, retirement

Question 1

Loss

Answer 1

-actual or potential situation when something is no longer available

Question 2

Necessary/Personal Loss

Answer 2

• something/someone as we grow up
• integral part of lives
• loss with change
• expect to be replace by something better

Question 3

Situational Loss

Answer 3

• sudden, unexpected external event

- ex. car accident and lose mobility

Question 4

Actual Loss

Answer 4

• identified by others

- in response to/in anticipation of a situation

Question 5

Perceived Loss

Answer 5

• defined by grieving person
• may be less obvious to others
• easily overlooked/misunderstood

Question 6

Anticipatory Grief

Answer 6

• both actual and perceived loss

- experienced before actual loss

Question 7

Grief

Answer 7

• emotional response to loss
• manifested in thoughts, feelings, behaviours
• gradual process of healing
• needs expression
• normal–>normal feelings of and reactions to loss
• anticipatory
  
  • difficulty progressing through normal stages
  • loss not resolved
• disenfranchised
  
  • can’t define loss with traditional definition
  • no support/acknowledgement for the loss

Question 8

Symptoms of Grief

Answer 8

• headaches, difficulty concentrating
• tightness in chest, choking, SOB
• heart palpitations
• loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, forgetful, withdrawn

Question 9

Factors Influencing Grief

Answer 9

• age
• significance of loss
• culture
• spiritual beliefs
• gender
• SES
• support system
• cause of loss/death

Question 10

Communication to Support

Answer 10

• insight into own feelings about death
• acknowledge loss
• provide presence for grieving and accept silence, use touch
• attend to practical matters
• help to know reality of grief
• allow time to tell story
• be calm, patient and accepting
• give family time with the dying–>help with care, say goodbye
• respect religious practices and involve clergy/counseling
• include children in process

Question 11

Avoid

Answer 11

• ‘should’s
• changing the subject, false reassurance, denying what’s happening
• being fatalistic (would have happened anyway)
• blocking discussion because of your discomfort
• using cliches and easy answers
• managing client’s care to make feel dependent/powerless
• telling them how they feel