Question

Mary Jo lost her partner of 47 years about 6 months ago. She was Jim’s primary caregiver over the course of his cancer treatment that lasted 2 years. For the last month of his life, Jim and Mary Jo were able to receive assistance from hospice services, for which Mary Jo was extremely grateful because this allowed her to keep Jim at home, which is where he wanted to spend his last days of life. Since Jim’s death, Mary Jo has spent most of her time alone in the big house they shared. Friends have called wanting her to go out with them, but she always has an excuse (usually, she is too tired, has too much to do, or not feeling that well). Mary Jo and Jim had no children. Mary Jo has no known health problems and is retired from a career at the post office. She belongs to a church, but has not attended since the funeral. Her former hobbies included knitting, baking for friends and family (siblings and nieces and nephews), and shopping.

1. Discuss how the grieving process might be impacting Mary Jo’s life. Have you any concerns?

2. Discuss how hospice may or may not be able to help Mary Jo at this time. How do you think hospice helped prior to Jim’s death?

3. If you were asked to go and visit with Mary Jo as a healthcare professional, what would you expect and what are some of the ways you might be helpful to Mary Jo?

Answer 1

1.Mary jo is in her grief process .There are 5 main stages for grief and mourning which are universal are experianced by the people who go throughloss of something or someone.According to her current approach to the life it ssems to be she is in her depression stage of grief where she withdraw from others ,less interest in everything etc indicate a early or occured sign of depression which need to be taken care.5 stages of grief are : 1.Denial,2.Anger,3.Bargaining,4.Depression,5.Acceptance.

2. A hospice may help Mary jo to some extend by giving good support and watchout for anyneed of medical attention.A hospice can help her by listening to her saying and give them time to explain how it feel to them.Giving them a company will take them back to life easily by trying to deviate their attention to other side, a hospice can give her a ray of hope in life and encourage her to do daily activities so on .

Prior to Jim's death the role of hospice it different from now , she should help them to go through anticipated grief which is even more difficult task.Being alive and anticipating death is a dreadful state of life for the person and their loved ones to go through.The hospice would have been helping them with their emotions and mourning and also the inner conflict towards life.In such cases the grief process starts before death where a hospice should support the entire family to go on with the situation.

3.As a health care professional we could expect things in more reality such as she may refuse to interact with us, show refusal to share emotions and concern, less interest towards all, giving more excuse to stop being with her,try to isolate herself from us,not ready listen to us etc.

THINGS WHICH A HEALTHCARE MEMBER TO DO

• Understand the grieving process , may exhibit extreme emotions or nil.
• prepare what to say someone who is in grief
• Acknowledge the situation, be a good listener.
• Try to be genuine in communication
• Offer support
• Offer practical assistance like groups.
• provide ongoing support byarranging  help of hospice.
• Closely watch for the warning signs of depression.