4. Discussion
e purpose of this study was to understand the impact of COVID-19 on experiences of dying, death, and bereavement among the population in Ireland. e results of this ‘Time to Reflect’ study provide valuable insights into the provision of end-of-life care during the pandemic, the experiences of families and their dying loved ones and the difficult circumstances healthcare staff had to work in. e findings also highlight the significant impact of public health measures on funerals and mourning rituals, and experiences of grief, loss, and bereavement. Time to Reflect was a significant opportunity to hear the voices and understand more about the experiences of the Irish public during what was one of the most significant events in our lifetime. e study was conducted from the perspective of a public health model approach to bereavement. Irish Hospice Foundation has long advocated for a strategic and coordinated approach to bereavement care. Bereavement happens to people at any age, in different circumstances and with a wide range of consequences – psychological, physical, social and economic. A public health approach identifies bereavement needs and maps out the appropriate informal, community, organised and professional responses which are needed. In this survey, it was recognised that all bereaved people have needs; for compassion, for information and for the support of those around them. However, being cognisant of the difficult factors affecting people who were bereaved during COVID-19, it was important to delve deeper and try to identify what was the possible scale of additional need for support. is approach was based on the Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid which provides a national framework for adult bereavement care in Ireland. e pyramid suggests that every person who experiences a bereavement will have some level of need. Support at all levels of the continuum of grief must be available so that people can access the support when and where they need it. Others will require more intensive support, such as counselling and a few will require support from a specialist therapeutic service.
4. Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid - Irish Hospice Foundation. https://hospicefoundation.ie/our-supports-services/ bereavement-loss-hub/i-work-in-bereavement/adult-bereavement-care-pyramid/
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