Caring for renal patients during loss and bereavement

Many of us are not prepared in assisting patients through the final phase of the life cycle. Recognising physical manifestations of stress, understanding why patients experience loss with kidney disease, and realising the supportive role that staff play for a patient undergoing this process, are key to assisting the patient to cope with loss and bereavement. The renal caregiver can assist the patient to view the ESRD life from another perspective as they journey through the life cycle to death. In so doing, the renal caregiver can recognise the needs of the family during this period, thus making them feel they fulfil a valuable role in the patient's final care. Being with a patient and family at the time of death is extremely rewarding as it helps the staff bring closure to the nurse patient relationship.