Preparing for the untimely death of a family member: A qualitative study of the role of hospice service in partner-caregiver bereavement
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The purpose of this study was to identify the elements of hospice services that contribute to partner-caregiver bereavement of young widows/widowers. This research addressed partner-caregivers' perceptions of and meaning derived from their experiences with hospice professionals leading up to and following the death of their partner. Partner-caregivers of terminally ill hospice patients who died approximately eight months prior to the study were interviewed about the role of hospice services in terms of their grief process/experience. Ten partner-caregivers (with children living in the home ages 19 or younger) volunteered to participate in the interview process. Each audiotaped interview was transcribed. The interview data analyses indicated that the participants were not fully aware of the scope of services provided by hospice and reported that they wished they had been on service sooner. Some of the participants described the hospice professionals as "like family." Participants highlighted the timeliness of service and availability of the hospice professionals, described the attitude of hospice professionals as genuinely caring, and reported that hospice professionals demonstrated through their actions that "it wasn't just a job." Participants shared feedback about what things would have enhanced their experience with hospice. Despite less helpful interactions reported by some participants (e.g., hospice staff were too direct/not direct enough about informing them of the nearness to death), a majority of participants stated they could not have survived their partner's death without hospice and that they would recommend hospice to others. Recommendations for further research directions on the role of hospice service in partner-caregiver bereavement are provided.