Grief

My encounters with the red bird had been limited until a week after my mother died. I was sitting on the couch, consumed with grief when it first arrived.  The red bird flew to the transom and peered...

Grief and loss are a natural part of life, and they are particularly prevalent in nursing homes where residents often have advanced age and multiple health conditions.  Data from my recent research...

A rare series of structured conversations on bereavement and grief in nursing homes is revealing key insights into the emotional, physical and psychological trauma of repeated loss experienced by residents...

Some in long-term care wake up thinking of pay cuts, business survival or reform. Me? I awoke this morning thinking about cremation.

Covid vaccines have provided the light at the end of the tunnel that we have been waiting for. Everyone cannot wait to “return to normal.” Not that “normal” was a day at the beach for those of...

A new adult coloring book titled “Colors of Loss & Healing” has been released.

Singing “Amazing Grace” or playing a ukelele version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” may not immediately spring to mind as ways to help staff members grieve after a resident has...

I started working in long-term care when I was in my early 30s and I was shocked at first when the residents died. I was used to falling in love with my patients. In order to make it in LTC, I’ve...

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Work on letting go. Bereavement is natural, but we can find concrete ways to help ourselves and those around us.

Throughout my years of visiting senior living communities and working with families, some of the most heartbreaking moments come from watching a family member struggle with watching a loved one slowly...