Caring for Caregivers: Preparing Family Members for the Death of a Loved One

​A literature review published in the February 2019 issue of Annals of Long-Term Care found that long-term care organizations can and should improve their approaches to preparing family members for the death of a loved one in order to promote their quality of life and prevent adverse health effects. The review compiled results from 20 studies that address family preparedness and found that healthcare providers should assist families in preparing for death by teaching them about cognitive and emotional processes involved with end-of-life care, as well as providing practical support and resources. An important first step, the authors suggest, is for providers to ask family members the following simple question: “If your loved one were to die soon, how prepared would you be for his or her death?"