Bereavement

As an illness progresses, a person, their family, carers and friends may experience intense feelings of grief associated with losses and the relationship changes that unfold. Following a death, most bereaved people do not require counselling or specialist support. General practitioners can help by acknowledging the experience of grief or bereavement and providing reassurance. A GP may identify people experiencing more severe or prolonged grief reactions and assist them to receive psychological support.

Resources for GPs

• The CareSearchgp App has a section on Bereavement for GPs with information on supporting families and carers and links to a range of useful services and resources.
• Grief and bereavement is discussed more fully in the palliAGED Evidence Centre and Improving Care section.
• Guide to bereavement assessment and support from BC Guidelines, Canada.
• Following up the bereaved from CareSearch.

Resources for the bereaved

• Understanding grief booklet from Palliative Care Australia.
• Grief from the Dementia Australia website.
• Grief information sheets from Grief Australia.