Dr Kaori Shimoinaba1, Professor Helen Rawson1, Dr Kim Crawford1, Dr Den-Ching Angel Lee2,3, Dr Aislinn Lalor2,5, Dr Yunjing Qiu5, Ms Kim-Maree Jackson6
1Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, , Australia, 2Rehabilitation Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, , Australia, 3National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Monash University and Peninsula Health, , Australia, 4Department of Occupational Therapy, Monash University, , Australia, 5School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney, , Australia, 6The Village Baxter, , Australia
Biography:
Kaori is a senior lecturer at Monash University Nursing and Midwifery. Kaori teaches undergraduate and postgraduate programs on palliative care and cultural competency.
Kaori completed her PhD with the topic of “Staff grief and support systems for Japanese health care professionals working in palliative care” and supported by NHMRC Postgraduate Public Health Scholarship and Japan Hospice Palliative Care Foundation.
Research interests include palliative and end-of-life care, aged care, healthcare professionals’ grief and support, loss and grief, resilience, death education, and cultural competency. Kaori also holds a counselling qualification in grief and bereavement care.
Abstract:
Background:
Staff working in residential aged care homes (RACHs) tend to form close relationships with residents and families. Our previous study revealed that staff grieve following a resident’s death, but their grief is not well recognised and grief support is lacking. A uniquely designed grief support for RACH staff was suggested, so they can better cope with their grief.
Aims:
To co-design and pilot-test staff grief support program with RACH staff.
Methods:
Co-design and a pre and post-intervention pilot study. A staff grief program was co-designed with RACH staff. The program consists of Part 1 (discussing death and dying) and Part 2 (reflecting on grief and making a self-care plan). The program was pilot-tested at five RACHs in Victoria, Australia between July 2024 and February 2025. A focus-group to gain participant feedback was conducted at each site. Participants were staff members with direct care and support roles.
Results:
Two 90 minute co-design meetings were conducted with seven staff (six direct care staff and a manager) from different RACHs in Victoria to create a staff grief program. The program topic, style and duration were discussed. Forty-six staff participated in the pilot-program including nurses, care workers and support staff. Their average working time in RACHs was 11 years (3 months – 40 years), and 77% of participants experienced five or more resident deaths in the last 12 months.
Open sharing of their experiences and grief about resident deaths in an emotionally safe and supportive environment was the most common benefit of this program. Participants emphasised learning effective coping strategies with their grief will support their well-being and provide quality care for residents.
Conclusion:
Staff grief in RACHs must be recognised and supported. The pilot-testing emphasised the needs and its effectiveness of the staff grief support program designed by staff themselves.