Bereavement care: a role for the community nurse

Isolation, disability and a socialisation process of days gone by which encouraged people to 'keep a stiff upper lip' may prevent elderly people from accessing appropriate support in times of grief and/or bereavement. The suffering and disorganisation which follows the initial shock of bereavement are health hazards in their own right, but more dangerously so in the older spouse or partner. The community nurse is well placed to provide bereavement care, given that most grief is not pathological in nature, and with some support and use of resources available will resolve in time. It is argued that community nurses, assisted by inservice education and a protocol in bereavement care, could fulfil this role.