Guide booklet: a look at bereavement support for people with dementia

This project began out of a need to find resources to support people with dementia who are bereaved due to the death of a loved one that received hospice services. Although it was found that a considerable amount of research has been conducted to address the needs of people who care for those with dementia, it became evident during the literature review that specific findings on supporting the bereaved with dementia is lacking. In an effort to contribute to the conversation, this project begins with briefly addressing the concept of grief, and the condition of dementia. The literature review focuses on understanding the phenomena associated with the population under consideration, challenges to providing quality care, and working to understand the subjective experiences of the bereaved with dementia so that communication skills can be enhanced and a better framework for research can be developed. This paper continues with an explanation of the materials and methods for developing a guide booklet as a supportive and educational resource offered within a hospice setting. Additionally this paper offers a sustainability plan for revising, updating and building upon the project. This paper closes with a discussion of the project limitations and recommendations for further research.