Taking the lead: Supporting staff in coping with grief and loss in dementia care

Healthc Manage Forum. 2017 Jan;30(1):16-19. doi: 10.1177/0840470416658482. Epub 2016 Dec 12.

Abstract

Healthcare providers working with people living with dementia often experience a profound sense of grief when the person they support dies or moves to an alternative level of care. Unattended staff grief can impact healthcare leaders by reducing quality of care, increasing staff turnover and absenteeism, lowering morale, and creating a greater risk of long-term staff health problems. Organizational and self-care strategies can mitigate these challenges.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Dementia / therapy*
  • Grief*
  • Health Facility Administration
  • Health Personnel / education
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Self Care