Supporting continuing bonds through adult memory making in hospital-based end of life care - Ep.83
Aug 30, 2023
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Guest: Jo McIlveen, Expert special guest. Lis invites Jo McIlveen, a bereavement coordinator, to discuss memory making in hospital-based end of life care. They explore the concept, its impact on families' grief process, recognizing signs of approaching end of life, and planning for end-of-life care. They also highlight the importance of memory making and discuss Warden's tasks of mourning theory.
Memory making in hospital-based end-of-life care supports families in feeling connected to their loved ones during the grieving process.
Social workers create personalized environments for end-of-life patients in hospitals, using memory making as a therapeutic intervention to help patients and families cope with grief.
Deep dives
Memory making as a way to normalize death and grief literacy
Memory making is a way to explore the reality of death as a natural part of life and build death and grief literacy within communities. It has a long history, dating back to the Victorian times, but has seen a surge in demand post-COVID. With restrictions on visitations, memory making has become important, especially in acute hospital settings, to help families feel connected to their loved ones during end-of-life. Social workers play a crucial role in facilitating memory making, offering various creative mediums, such as photography and handprints, to capture important moments. It is an active and empowering process that brings families together and helps them cope with grief.
The importance of creating a personalized and comforting environment
When patients choose to stay in a hospital for end-of-life care, social workers help create a less clinical and more personalized environment. They encourage the use of photos, personal belongings, and artworks to make the room feel like home. By removing clinical elements and providing opportunities for families to spend time together, social workers create a safe and quiet space for memory making. This environment allows families to reflect on cherished memories, comfort the patient, and support one another during a challenging time.
The therapeutic value of memory making
Memory making serves as a therapeutic intervention for both patients and families. It allows them to actively engage in the creation of mementos and artworks, which empowers them and brings a sense of control amidst the uncertainty of end-of-life. By encouraging families to reflect on their favorite memories and express their love for the patient, memory making helps them process their grief and establish continued bonds. Social workers play a crucial role in facilitating these discussions, providing grief counseling, and normalizing the complex emotions experienced during the end-of-life journey.
Memory making as a tool for continued connection
Memory making contributes to the concept of continuing bonds, where individuals stay connected to their loved ones even after their passing. Through handprints, footprints, lock of hair, and other artifacts, families can create tangible and enduring connections with the person who has died. These memory keepsakes serve as a reminder of their loved one's presence and allow them to navigate the ongoing grief journey. Memory making provides an opportunity for families to share their stories, create meaningful artworks, and find comfort in the enduring connections they forge.
In this episode, Lis invites expert special guest Jo McIlveen to come and listen to this moving story of a social worker's intervention using memory making for a grieving family in a hospital setting. Lis and Jo discuss the ins and outs of the story in such great detail, that we think you will want to know more about this kind of social work practice, whether you're working in end of life care or otherwise. Enjoy!
p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!
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