Hospice of Santa Barbara offers insights into family grieving

Hospice of Santa Barbara offers insights into family grieving
Santa Barbara Independent, by Hospice of Santa Barbara; 3/26/24
Grieving the loss of a family member is a deeply intricate emotional journey. Shared bonds and histories make family grief especially unique. Family grief extends beyond the individual and intertwines with the collective fabric of shared experiences, roles and responsibilities. ... It is common for death to change the family dynamic. This can be a result of several factors, including age, relationship, role, difference in coping mechanisms, heightened stress and emotions, and unresolved family issues which can lead to the resurfacing of past grievances.
Editor's Note: CMS Hospice COPs §418.3 defines: "Bereavement counseling means emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual support and services provided before and after the death of the patient to assist with issues related to grief, loss, and adjustment." Notice the words "before and after." Your interdisciplinary teams need to understand individual and family grief, within the scope of their roles and responsibilities with family members.