Related Experiment Videos
Immediate aftermath of a client's death: the experience of home health aides
Adrita Barooah1, Kathrin Boerner1, Hayley P Gleason1
1a Department of Gerontology , John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston , Boston , MA , USA.
Abstract:
This study investigated Home Health Aides' (HHAs) experiences in the immediate aftermath of client death. Semi-structured in-person interviews with 80 HHAs explored how notification of death and reassignment to a new client were handled. Only 42.5% of HHAs were notified of the death; 40% had to notify the agency; 17.5% were not notified at all and had a negative experience. Reassignment preferences varied, but HHAs had a better experience when their preferences were taken into consideration. Study findings suggest that more mindful approaches to transitions following client death would be valued by HHAs and could improve their work experience.