00:01
Let's explore the topics today
of grief and loss.
00:05
So while this presentation,
we're just going to give you
a baseline understanding
of what your patient may experience
during these two topics.
00:14
So, we talk about loss,
it's important for nurses
to begin to understand
their own feelings
about grief and death,
in order to really understand
and support their patient.
00:25
Now, just know there are
different types of loss,
and each individual may feel one
is more important over the other,
and again,
this is going to vary.
00:34
But just know as a nurse
that each type of loss
may be priority
and mean a lot to the patient.
00:40
So consider that
when caring for your client.
00:43
So we talk about loss,
one type of loss is called actual.
00:47
This could be necessary
across the lifespan
meaning death,
for example,
and this could be
a natural occurrence.
00:54
Where sometimes with loss,
it can be situational.
00:57
This can be sudden,
unpredictable.
01:00
This can be a sudden
loss of vision,
maybe an amputation
due to an accident,
or even an object.
01:06
So again,
each type of loss
may be really important
to your patient.
01:10
So make sure
you assess your client.
01:13
And don't forget about
perceived loss.
01:16
This is defined by the individual
experiencing loss
such as maybe even a
friendship, independence,
or some sort of freedom.
01:23
Don't forget that perceived loss
can be just as important
that as actual loss
for some clients.
01:31
Now, when we talk about
grief,
this is an emotional response
to some sort of loss.
01:36
This is going to vary
quite widely,
depending on the individual's
personal experiences,
maybe their cultural
expectations, or their beliefs.
01:48
When we talk about the topic
of grief and loss.
01:51
Many times this theory
comes into mind
the Five Stages of Dying.
01:55
You may hear the term of
Kübler-Ross stages of dying.
02:00
This is where
the person that's dying,
or a person
experiencing a loss
will experience these,
these five stages of grief.
02:08
So many times
it can be
with a patient's
loved one that's lost,
and this may start
with denial.
02:14
Meaning they can't believe
it has happened,
they're not really understanding,
and that can sometimes
turn to anger.
02:22
Now, after
the anger phase,
if the patient has
spiritual beliefs,
or certain spiritual health,
there may be some bargaining
in there that can happen.
02:31
Then once this occurs,
again,
depression can occur
for this patient,
and eventually, after some time,
maybe acceptance.
02:39
Now, one key thing
to know about these
five stages of dying in grief,
is that the timeframe,
there is no certain one
and no specific timeframe
for each individual.
02:50
Each stage may vary
for each individual,
some may take longer
than others,
and it completely depends
on the patient's
cultural beliefs or
their spiritual beliefs.
03:00
And as you can see,
on this image,
there are so many factors
that influences
loss and grief for a client.
03:08
One of them could be
the developmental stage,
just their
personal relationships,
what kind of support
that they have?
That was this someone
that was really close to them?
Sometimes the nature of loss
can be a real big factor here.
03:22
What I mean by this is maybe if
there was an expected loss
that was going to occur,
and the patient eventually passes,
we may expect this
and be able to work
through those five stages
a little bit faster.
03:35
Whereas, if the nature of loss
was situational or sudden,
this can be much more detrimental
for the patient's coping ability.
03:44
And therefore, that turns into the
coping strategies of the patient.
03:48
Do they have effective
coping strategies
to deal with loss and grief?
So some additional factors
that can influence loss and grief
is socioeconomic status.
03:59
This can play a part if maybe
the patient needs extra resources
to help deal with the grief.
04:05
And don't forget certain patients
have culture, and ethnicity,
and different types of
belief patterns
or cultural expectations
that determine how they handle
that loss and grief.
04:17
Spiritual, and religious belief,
and health
can also support the patient
during that time,
and not to mention hope.
04:25
Now, when we're caring
for patients experiencing grief,
there may not be
a lot of guidelines for this
or a right way to do it,
but there's four important points
to make sure you remember.
04:35
Just remembering
to listen carefully.
04:38
Many times the patient
just needs someone to talk to
and taking the time to do
this is really important.
04:44
And also be
culturally sensitive.
04:46
How you may think the patient
needs to be displaying the grief,
maybe not the way
that they need to do that.
04:53
So just keep that in mind to be
culturally competent with this
and be sensitive.
04:58
Now, it's great
to relate to the patient,
if you've experienced
the similar situation.
05:04
But please make sure
you listen carefully
and don't project.
05:08
And of course, use professional
and clinical standards
whenever available
or applicable.