Irish Hospice Foundation
Toolkit for Compassionate End-of-Life Care
35
Here are some tips on supporting grieving people: • It is important to acknowledge that this is a far from ideal situation. Offer comfort and reassurance that you will do everything possible to lessen the distress. • Have clear communication channels available to provide information and respond to queries timely and appropriately. • Accommodate alternate ways to maintain connections; like virtual and window visiting. • Optimise the flow of information and communication; be proactive in this rather than reactive. For example, have a ‘communication hour’. Let relatives and friends know the times the ward phone line will be operating and this is the time that they can call to get an update on their loved one. • Provide clear information regarding the reasons for any visiting restrictions and also what alternative arrangements are in place. • Clear one-page documents should be made available to explain to the general public what they can expect and plan for if they wish to visit their loved one – including, key guidance, who to contact, arrangements for use of iPads, etc. • Provide people with the name of the person whom they can contact to get information about their loved one, in accordance with the dying person’s wish and preference. • Suggest that the Designated Healthcare Representatives act as a spokesperson between the hospital and other friends and relatives. If none was named, seek guidance on the dying person’s known wish and preference to nominate a spokesperson. • Have an open email address for people to email their messages in. ese can then be collated through a central administration person who can then bring the messages to the ward to be passed on to the patients. • Print copies or direct people towards Irish Hospice Foundation resources that provide information on what to expect when a loved one is dying and practical advice on what they can do. See Resources on Page 40 for more.
• Let families know there is information, including details of supports, available on bereaved.ie
Care of the Dying Person 4
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