SSLE WEEK 6 Olutoyin Hussain

People closely affected by Death Class Activity (Week 5 Revision) People closely affected by Death Who are they?

Objectives 2.3 (Week 6) At the end of this students will be able to evaluate the suitability of external sources of support for those affected by significant life events

External Sources of Support - Why? There are many reasons why people need professional help; as a result of prolonged silence or traumatic distress These organisations as mentioned in week 5 offer different services depending on the individual's circumstances or needs. It is appropriate to refer individuals to professionals like commissioners, counsellors etc. who have the skills to respond to these needs.

Other External Support Include:

External Sources could be: Cultural Religious Spiritual organisations Physical Occupational and Psychotherapists Psychologists Counsellors or Psychiatrists (if referred)

External Sources could be: Legal advisors such as: advocates solicitors accountants. Funeral directors and Other therapists who offer services like: Aromatherapy, Yoga, Sports, massage.

Reasons for Referrals

Reasons for referals: Anxiety: History of ‘lack of tendency of coping’ History of Depressive illness Suicidal ideation Prolong silence Existential issues Spiritual needs

Holistic support - psychological Psychological support encompasses general emotional support and empowerment as well as specialist psychological care. Psychological interventions may include, but are not limited to, cognitive behaviour therapy, social skills training, work with phobias and confidence issues, and medication to ease psychological distress, including anxiety and depression. Timescales important.

Assessment Before referral, need assessment of the individual must be conducted. This will include: holistic assessment of the individual.

Holistic Assessment

Holistic support - physical and psychological A 'holistic' assessment includes, as a minimum: physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural, and where appropriate, environmental considerations. This may relate to needs and preferences as well as associated treatment, care and support.

Holistic support - physical and psychological A comprehensive assessment is likely to be multidisciplinary and may require the input of both health and social care professionals, as well as other appropriate support services

Holistic support - physical and psychological It is recognised that physical and psychological symptoms cannot always be fully controlled. All treatment and support should be tailored to the individual. The treatment plan for managing symptoms and side effects should be recorded in a personalised care plan

Specialist palliative care Specialist palliative care encompasses hospice care (including inpatient hospice, day hospice, hospice at home) as well as a range of other specialist advice, support and care such as provided by hospital palliative care teams. Specialist palliative care should be available on the basis of need, not diagnosis.

Specialist palliative care 'People who may benefit from specialist palliative care' are those whose symptoms cannot be managed in a timely way by their usual care team. People approaching the end of life who need cultural, spiritual and/or religious support appropriate to their needs and preferences.

Holistic support - families and carers How? Time? Availability?

BPSG The Bereaved Partners Support Group (BPSG) is a registered charity providing support for people who have lost their loved ones to cancer. They run support groups in London. The aim of the groups is to create regular spaces for people to share stories and experiences with others who have experienced a similar kind of loss.

BPSG Open to all relationships; people who have lost their partners, parents, siblings, friends, (etc. to cancer.) Mutual support group ‘Talking helps’

Reference Graves,D (2009) Talking with Bereaved people.An Approach for structured and sensitive communication. Jessica Kingsely Publishers.London NICE (2013).Published clinical guidelines. BPSG.