The concept of "normal grief" needs to be considered in the
light of demographic and cultural variables.
•
As a part of normal bereavement, bereaved subjects may feel
that the dead person is near at hand and may even have transient ("hypnagogic")
hallucinations or illusions about their departed loved ones.
•
The concept of "normal grief" needs to be considered in the
light of demographic and cultural variables.
•
Consider referral to mental health if bereaved subjects report ongoing
hallucinations. (There is no time period for hypnagogic hallucinations.
Rees reported patients experiencing them as often at 10 years as at 1
year after bereavement).
•
Emotion-focused interventions for grief encourage the expression of grief
and other emotions.
•
Cognitive-focused interventions for grief encourage problem solving and
re-planning one's life.
•
The stronger the attachment the greater the grief.
•
Most bereaved people do not need and will not benefit from referral to
a Bereavement Service, but for those at high risk, intervention can significantly
change outcomes.
•
The Medicare Hospice benefit in the USA routinely provides ongoing bereavement
support to loved ones for a period of 12 months after the patient’s
death.
•
Home hospices in the US use trained volunteers and other staff to provide
bereavement support.
