Introduction
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences that anyone can go through. It can be a time of great emotional and psychological upheaval, and it can be challenging for the family to cope with the loss. The death of a loved one is a deeply personal experience that can have a profound impact on families (Morris et al., 2020).
Grief is a natural and universal response to loss, but many families struggle to cope with their loss and find the support they need to move forward. It is important to seek support from family, friends, or professional resources during this difficult time. Taking care of oneself physically, emotionally, and mentally is also essential. Accordingly, to survive grief, it is necessary to be surrounded by caring people and receive their support.
Definition and Goals of Palliative Care
In general, palliative care is the provision of medical and psychological help to patients with a terminal illness and support for their relatives. The primary goal of palliative care is to alleviate the patient’s suffering by eliminating the pain syndrome and providing appropriate care. Thus, experienced specialists accompany the patient in the last days of his life, providing an opportunity to spend them with dignity and without pain. The duration of palliative care depends on the patient’s condition and needs and may last from several days to several years (Morris et al., 2020). The scope of care is determined individually for each patient, based on his or her condition and well-being.
The Role of Bereavement Support in Palliative Care
The palliative care movement strongly supports bereavement care as an essential part of comprehensive end-of-life care, but unfortunately, only a minority of hospitals and other medical facilities provide mourning services to the families of all patients who pass away.
Palliative Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
At the same time, palliative care is also necessary for patients with Covid-19. Palliative care is of paramount importance as humane care; therefore, it is necessary to be effective and meet patients’ expectations. One aspect that has proven particularly important in light of the coronavirus pandemic is palliative care (Morris et al., 2020). However, in light of the pandemic, with many people dying from COVID-19, palliative care has become even more important, as patients often die alone, separated from their loved ones due to quarantine measures.
The Importance of Emotional and Counseling Support for Patients and Families
In such circumstances, physicians and medical staff must do all they can to provide counseling support and to alleviate the suffering of patients and their families in the last days and hours of life. The 2019 coronavirus illness pandemic has highlighted the need for institutions to provide consolation to the families of those who have died, underscoring the public health need for better patient care and management of expectations within nursing care and public affairs (Morris et al., 2020).
In addition, the coronavirus pandemic also had a significant impact on palliative care in general. In some countries, emergency medical procedures were banned, and hospitals were overwhelmed with patients with Covid-19, making it difficult to provide the necessary palliative care. This created additional challenges for medical institutions and organizations involved in palliative care, as they had to adapt to the new conditions and work methods.
Conclusion
This research proposal aims to explore how providing appropriate support before and after the death of a loved one can help grieving families cope and begin the healing process. The research questions will focus on the common emotional and mental impacts of the death of a loved one, the kinds of support that can be provided to families before and after the death of a loved one, the barriers to accessing support, and how individuals and organizations can effectively provide culturally sensitive support to families from different cultural backgrounds. The outcomes of this research proposal will provide recommendations for individuals and organizations on how to effectively support families during this difficult time.
Reference
Morris, S. E., Moment, A., & Thomas, J. (2020). Caring for bereaved family members during the COVID-19 pandemic: Before and after the death of a patient. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(2). Web.