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“Death Is Part of the Job†in Long-Term Care Homes

Author

Listed:
  • Jill Marcella
  • Mary Lou Kelley

Abstract

For long-term care (LTC) home staff who work directly with residents, death, dying, and grief are day-to-day experiences in their working life. However, staff are often overlooked for grief and bereavement support. This exploratory research used a qualitative approach to understand LTC staff’s grief and bereavement experience and to identify the perceived support needs of nurses and personal support workers who work in two faith-based non-profit care homes in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Findings indicated that participants’ experiences are complex, shaped by the emotional impact of each loss, the cumulative burden of ongoing grief, an organizational culture in LTC where death is hidden, and the lack of organizational attention to staffs’ support and education needs. Eight recommendations were developed from the findings. It is hoped that this research will assist in the development of organizational policy and procedures, addressing the health and well-being of direct care workers in LTC homes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jill Marcella & Mary Lou Kelley, 2015. "“Death Is Part of the Job†in Long-Term Care Homes," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(1), pages 21582440155, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:5:y:2015:i:1:p:2158244015573912
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244015573912
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Helen K. Black & Robert L. Rubinstein, 2005. "Direct Care Workers' Response to Dying and Death in the Nursing Home: A Case Study," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 60(1), pages 3-10.
    2. Miriam S. Moss & Sidney Z. Moss & Robert L. Rubinstein & Helen K. Black, 2003. "The Metaphor of “Family” in Staff Communication About Dying and Death," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(5), pages 290-296.
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    1. Jo-Ann Vis & Kimberley Ramsbottom & Jill Marcella & Jessica McAnulty & Mary Lou Kelley & Katherine Kortes-Miller & Kristen Jones-Bonofiglio, 2016. "Developing and Implementing Peer-Led Intervention to Support Staff in Long-Term Care Homes Manage Grief," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(3), pages 21582440166, August.

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