COVID Grief: Communication with Family & Healthcare Team
Communication with Family & Healthcare Team as a Protective Factor:
It is important to recognize that many individuals are often involved in the care of a dying person- family, friends, healthcare workers and, in some cases, palliative care specialists. Open family communication has been shown to lower levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Sharing thoughts, feelings, information, and even taking time to address unresolved family conflict can also improve the behavioral grief responses of children and teens. Compassionate communication with the health care team can positively impact the long-term grief process, in addition to reducing the survivors’ fear and anxiety. For grieving siblings in particular, poor communication with family, friends, and the healthcare team places them at an increased risk for unresolved grief. The ability to speak openly about thoughts and feelings is equally important for the dying person as it can reduce stress and further prepare them for the end-of-life process.
COVID’s Impact:
Throughout the height of COVID, most facilities and families shifted to virtual communication up until the very last moments of life, in which limited visitation was permitted. This study found a decrease in end-of-life discussions during COVID in addition to significantly fewer people maintaining the ability to fully express their thoughts, needs and desires. Many patients were also placed on a ventilator, which further prohibited direct communication with the family and healthcare team. These restrictions caused a sense of isolation and distress for families and patients, therefore placing families at risk for complicated grief.
What to Do – suggestions for the bereaved:
- Schedule routine communication with health care providers. Predictable times of communication can provide a sense of control during this stressful time. Work with the healthcare team to establish an agreed upon schedule for communication in addition to identifying a main point of contact. If visits are limited, discuss how and when to utilize video chat features and receive photos to enhance the communication experience. The same holds true with your immediate friends, family, and children. You may want to agree upon regular times to check in with one another on a group call or chat.
- Open and honest communication. In some cases, you may need to be upfront with the healthcare team about communication needs and prepare questions ahead of time. Children and teens are also seeking truthful information during this time. When explaining death to children, avoid euphemisms such as “gone”, “passed away”, or “lost” as this may cause confusion. Instead use simple and short sentences including the words “dead’ and “died”. Talking to Teens and Children About Illness and Death provides age-appropriate tips and examples on how to start this conversation.
This is one protective factor of a series. For the comprehensive resource click here: COVID Grief: Protective Factors & the Impact of the Pandemic
This resource is made possible through a partnership with the Brave of Heart Fund, founded by the foundations of New York Life and Cigna, and administered by E4E Relief.
