• Hospice Home

• Grief does not only occur after the death of the patient. For patients, they may have experienced various forms of grief due to the tangible and intangible losses caused by the illness. Therefore, the carers cannot ignore the importance of caring for the patient. You can refer to the following points as you take care of the patient:
  • The section about “Communicating with patients—facing death” above

Consult your social worker in case of any questions.

• As patients have suffered tangible and intangible losses due to illness, such as mobility and cognitive ability, their family will gradually develop the grieving reactions too. In fact, it is normal for the family to have such reactions even before the passing of the patient. The key is to acknowledge your grief and find suitable support

Consult your social worker in case of any questions.

• As the disease progresses, family and relatives can learn about the possible situations they may face and prepare themselves for it. If conditions allow, relatives and friends can consult the medical team before visiting the patients
• Here are some common conditions of patients that may be encountered:
  • Haggard body and face
  • Slow response
  • Being connected to tubes (for oxygen/injection)

Consult your social worker in case of any questions.

• Showing a haggard face
• Showing mental cloudiness
• Avoiding social contact
• Being depressed/uneasy
• Having insomnia or waking early
• Having weight loss
• Using negative languages
• Being irrational (e.g. suddenly shouting)
• Being indifferent
• Feeling down

Consult your social worker in case of any questions.

• Like adults, children will experience grief and reactions to the death of a close family member. Based on the level of cognitive development at different ages, children will show slightly different understanding of the passing of their loved ones. However, even younger children will have the need to mourn and grieve over the loss. Therefore, we can help them face their loss in the following ways:
  • Sincere communication
    • Simply use words such as “dead” and “death” to break the news to children about the passing of loved ones; avoid using vague expressions such as “asleep”, “gone travelling” or “going somewhere faraway” to avoid misunderstanding and fear of sleep or travel
    • Approach death with an honest attitude, as our attitude is the object of imitation by our children. We can let our children know that grief is a natural response to the death of a loved one, and the most important thing is to deal with the emotions in a positive way
    • Directly explain to the children the cause of the death of the loved one; let them know that the death is not their fault
  • Give them choices
    • Explain the funeral to the children and let them decide whether to attend or be involved in some part of the process
    • Children may not actively seek help for handling grief. Let them choose when to express. We can observe and seize the opportunity to show our care
    • Everyone expresses and deals with grief differently. Even within the family, there may be different ways to handle it. We should respect the response of the children
  • Encourage them to express their feelings
    • Although children may not express their grief, it does not mean that they are not grieving. On the contrary, they need our understanding and consideration
    • Use different forms or media of expression, such as photos, videos or drawing/painting, instead of restricting to verbal expression

You are not alone when helping your children. If you need further suggestions or help, consult your healthcare professionals or social workers.

• Principles for handling personal grief
  • Let the grief out; do not suppress it
  • Try to talk to someone you trust
  • Accept your own limitations and that you may not be able to solve all the problems
  • Time heals but it may not make every problem fade
  • Think about the positive perspectives of the bereavement, which can become a strength and motivation, such as learning to treasure the people around you
  • Give yourself some quiet space/contact with nature
  • Learn to relax, do not put everything on your shoulders
  • Find the way to give yourself support in your daily life and reorganise your life
  • Seek help from a professional when necessary
• What the bereaved need
  • Talking with others
  • Companionship/ quiet space for grieving
  • Practical support (care, financial difficulties, everyday errands)
  • Advice (such as the arrangement of the funeral and inheritance)

Consult your social worker in case of any questions.

• Even with more life experiences, elders do experience grief and reactions with bereavement. It is also important to help them adapt to the passing of those around them
• Apart from general ways to support and care for elders, we also need to pay attention to the following:
  • Cognitive ability: Use language and words that match their cognitive ability; try to keep it simple, concise and clear, and ask questions to confirm their understanding
  • Avoidance: Elders tend not to be working or have active social lives. After experiencing bereavement, you should take the initiative to show your care and reduce the chance of social avoidance after the passing of their spouse

Consult your social worker in case of any questions.

To help patients to overcome physical, psychological and environmental barriers, active participation in meaningful activities can restore the sense of achievement and joy. With this we hope to ultimately improve the patient’s motivation and quality of life. Five ways include: Connect with other people, Be physically active, Learn new skills, Give to others, Pay attention to the present moment.