Transitioning to Residential Aged Care: Loss and Grief

What is this article about?

What do you think of when you hear the words ‘loss’ and ‘grief’? For many people, the first thought that comes to mind is probably death. Despite this, there are in reality many types of loss, one of those being the loss of a way of life, which may relate to changing jobs, retiring, moving away or other life events significant to the individual. One such life event that has increasingly been found to cause feelings of grief is the transition from home to residential aged care. These feelings of grief may affect the older adult themselves, their loved ones and carers, and possibly even staff. With that in mind, how can we better support residents and their families when a loved one enters aged care?