Awareness of Care Managers Concerning Grief Care for Older Bereaved Individuals Living Alone Following the Loss of Their Spouse: A Qualitative Research.

Background/

Objectives

Japan has the most rapidly aging population worldwide, with older adults expected to reach 38.7% by 2070. Furthermore, individuals ≥ 60 years old desire to spend their final days at home. Following the establishment of the Long-Term Care Insurance System in 2000, care managers at home care support facilities continually assist most older adults receiving home care. Moreover, home-based end-of-life care is expected to increase. Therefore, the care manager's role will be crucial in providing end-of-life care support and offering grief care to bereaved families following a patient's passing. In this study, we aimed to clarify the perceptions of care managers regarding grief care for older bereaved individuals following the loss of their spouse and living alone.

Methods

Seventeen care managers with prior experience in grief care for older bereaved individuals who became independent after the death of their spouse were interviewed. The 17 care managers comprised 2 men and 15 women, aged between their late 30s and early 60s. Qualitative data analysis was performed.

Results

The following five categories were generated regarding the perceptions of care managers: necessity of supporting older bereaved individuals, ambivalent feelings towards grief care, death considerations, need for reflection, and challenges in implementing grief care.

Conclusions

Care managers recognized the importance of maintaining a continued relationship before death, including the need for assessing older bereaved individuals, and collaborating with multiple professions in grief care.