alzheimer’s australia nsw...2010/10/22 · © alzheimer’s australia nsw national dementia...
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© Alzheimer’s Australia NSW National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW
Navigating grief and loss experiencesLyndell Huskins 22nd October 2010
© Alzheimer’s Australia NSW National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500
Projections
• 257,000 in 2010
• 565,000 in 2030
• 981,000 in 2050
Source: Access Economics Dementia Prevalence Estimates 2005
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Support groups
• Support groups are a cost effective method in assisting carers
• Quality Support Groups Research Project
• What defines a quality dementia carer support group?
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Key finding
Carers of people with dementia are constantly faced with emotional stress due to the experience of grief and loss.
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Grief…is an ever present stressor … it is a “true grief”… that is equal to or greater than the stress experienced in postdeath grieving (Noyes et al, 2009).
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• Skills of the group leader can determine the success of the group, and
• Have a positive or negative impact on group outcomes and the needs of carers
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Grief and loss module
• A two day experiential workshop
• A leaders guide
• A structured session plan
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Aims
• Introduce the topic • Knowledge is enhanced • Safe supportive environment• Increased confidence• Strengths are fostered and validated• Mutual aid is engendered• Structure and guidance
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Outcomes
• Accommodation of grief• Resilience is strengthened• Strategies are articulated and validated • Emotional expression is attended to• Increased understanding of change and
dementia
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• Disenfranchised grief
• Anticipatory grief
• Ambiguous loss
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Arbitrators of grief
• Religion• Spirituality• Culture• Relationships• Dementia
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Common anxieties
• Feeling overwhelmed• Not knowing what to do• Crying• Managing disclosure and anger
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Leaders Guide
• Supports the workshop• Reference tool• Advice and strategies for leaders• Practical interventions for carers• Referral and resource information
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Session Plan
• Guidance in preparing the group• Procedure• Group guidelines• Self care• Reconnection
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Session Plan
• Express painful emotions
• Learn ways of understanding and accommodating grief
• Share experiences
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“Although I am very comfortable as a group leader, I wasn’t sure how I would go in dealing with this topic… The session plan helped me…I was able to be a bit more assertive…in a way I felt liberated.”
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“During the session there were …times when carers displayed obvious signs of grief…at no time did I detect that anyone was uncomfortable…indeed there was a great deal of respect and compassion…”
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Grief is an ever-present issue when dealingwith carers every day, even though we are
often hesitant to identify it.
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The session has been very worthwhile;… It helps to know that it is “normal” and hear how other people cope…
What I am experiencing is real, is individual and shared by other carers
I found the session to be insightful, cathartic and redeeming…thank you
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“Grief changes you…You are carrying something new with you…How can you
not be different?
I think the most authentic gift I have to give is the sharing of my experience…”
© Alzheimer’s Australia NSW National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500
Truly effective groups can require a lot more than just putting a group of carers together and encouraging them to share their feelings…
A shared understanding of the grieving process and how stories and feelings will be responded to, combined with careful planning and skilled facilitation, can play a key role in creating carer support groups that offer a high quality of practical and emotional support (O’Shea1999).