The patient often anticipates the loss of independence, function, or comfort, which can cause significant pain and anxiety if not given the proper support. Both patients and their family members can feel anticipatory loss. Sometimes anticipatory grief starts at the time of a terminal diagnosis and can proceed until the person dies. Examples of anticipatory grief include actual or fear of potential loss of health, independence, body part, financial stability, choice, or mental function. See Figure 17.1 for an image of an individual experiencing grief.Īnticipatory grief is defined as grief before a loss, associated with diagnosis of an acute, chronic, and/or terminal illness experienced by the patient, family, or caregivers. There are times when the person experiencing the loss feels in control and accepting, and there are other times when the loss feels unbearable and they feel out of control. Emotional oscillation is normal and expected. The grief process is not orderly and predictable. Grief affects survivors physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. These feelings may include anger, frustration, loneliness, sadness, guilt, regret, and peace. Grief is the emotional response to a loss, defined as the individualized and personalized feelings and responses that an individual makes to real, perceived, or anticipated loss. After a patient dies, the family members and other survivors experience loss. The feeling of loss can be associated with the loss of health, changes in relationships and roles, and eventually the loss of life. Loss is the absence of a possession or future possession with the response of grief and the expression of mourning. Three major concepts associated with grieving are loss, grief, and mourning. This chapter will discuss concepts related to grief and loss and evidence-based interventions advocated by the ELNEC. The ELNEC project gives nurses and other health care professionals the knowledge and skills required to provide specialized care and positively impact the lives of patients and families facing serious illness and/or the end of life. This chapter is based on a curriculum established by the End-of-Life Nursing Care Consortium (ELNEC), an international educational project sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Nurses are typically the first line of support as they assist patients and their family members to cope with serious illness, feelings of loss, and the end of life. Have you ever experienced the loss of something important to you like a job, a relationship with a friend or significant other, or a pet? We all experience loss and grief at some point in our lives, with the ultimate loss being death. Describe nursing responsibilities associated with postmortem care
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