Problem

Grief is a common experience after loss. Older adults are likely to encounter the loss of a loved one more often than other age groups. Acute grief normally evolves over time into integrated grief but for some, grief may be prolonged, severe and impairing. Prolonged grief can be associated with higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts. It is, therefore, pivotal to identify and support individuals at risk of developing prolonged grief. There is evidence that GPs do not always have sufficient time, skills and resources to offer such support. In addition, older people may be reluctant to discuss their mental health and grief with their family, GP or other care staff. Grief in older people may, consequently, go undetected and untreated. This project seeks to examine the effects of grief in older people on healthcare use from the perspective of (a) the older bereaved person who is experiencing grief and (b) GPs who are treating grieving older people. 

Design

1. A mixed-methods approach using quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews with older people who are experiencing grief and additional interviews with GPs and practice nurses who are treating older grieving people.
2. Identify how older people are coping with grief, which bereavement support services they use (if any) and how GPs and practice nurses respond to grief in older people.
3. Poetic narrative analysis as additional analysis and data dissemination method

Publications

Katrin Gerber , Larissa Hjorth , Christina Bryant , Kayla Lock , Terence W. H. Chong , Lidia Engel , Danny Hills , Samantha M Loi , Primrose White , Kaori Shimoinaba & Bianca Brijnath (2024) Primary Care Consultations for Grief in Older People – a Missed Opportunity for Mental Health Support, Clinical Gerontologist.

Access via: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07317115.2024.2321341 

Katrin Gerber, Bianca Brijnath, Kayla Lock, Christina Bryant, Danny Hills, Larissa Hjorth, ‘Unprepared for the depth of my feelings’ - Capturing grief in older people through research poetry, Age and Ageing, Volume 51, Issue 3, March 2022, afac030, DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac030

Access via: https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/doi/10.1093/ageing/afac030/6547546?guestAccessKey=d65b52e9-bcce-42cf-9267-8b24a8813fb8

Katrin Gerber & Eleanor Campbell (2022) Grief support for older Australians is lacking. Aged Care Insite Podcast.

Access via: https://www.agedcareinsite.com.au/2022/02/grief-support-for-older-australians-is-lacking/

Lidia Engel, Bianca Brijnath, Terence W. H. Chong, Danny Hills, Larissa Hjorth, Samantha Loi, Ishani Majmudar, Cathrine Mihalopoulos & Katrin Gerber (2022) Quality of life and loneliness post-bereavement: Results from a nationwide survey of bereaved older adults, Death Studies, DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2155887

Access via https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07481187.2022.2155887

Collaborators

NARI, RMIT, Department of Health and Human and Services, Federation University, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, Carers Victoria.

Project Summary

Grief Resource Sheet