courtesy of Dr. Michele Chaban, Director of the Psychosocial-Spiritual Program, The Temmy Letner Centre for Palliative Care, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario. This inventory, developed by Stephen Fleming, lists social, psychological, situational, physical and spiritual factors that may indicate the need for professional support for a bereaved person. Volunteers can use it as a guide when supporting bereaved people. Volunteers should be aware of the risk factors and contact their supervisor if they have any concerns about the person they are helping Social Factors: • perceived reduction in quantity and frequency of contact with old friends (i.e. becoming isolated) • young, married childless spouse • young children or adolescent dependent children • anticipated loss of major social roles as a consequence of loss of dying person • quality of marriage • few activities, interests or hobbies • poor contact and relationships with family members. Psychological Factors: • previous history of depressive or mental illness • perceives environment as failing to meet needs and/or actively unhelpful (totally negative) • past history of poor coping with major crises • increasing consumption of sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol or tobacco (watch for use of valium, sleep or “nerve” medication) • increased intimacy with the dying person during terminal illness • anticipatory grief (poses immediate post-death risk) • complete denial of illness or its terminality (i.e. pretends it does not exist. Note: watch for cultural influence which mitigates denial). • acknowledges any of the following feelings: • What will I do now? • I’m worried I might have a nervous breakdown.
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