ABSTRACT
En este artículo se dan una definición y una descripción del duelo basadas en sus características y en los modelos explicativos en vigencia (modelo de etapas, modelo de tareas, modelo dual y modelo constructivista). Se afirma que en los procesos de demencia se produce un duelo anticipado como consecuencia de una pérdida relacional significativa antes de la muerte, y se describen los factores de riesgo de duelo complicado en cuidadores: sobrecarga, falta de recursos personales, materiales, delegación de cuidados y sentimientos complejos como la culpa. También se señala la conveniencia de que las organizaciones asistenciales faciliten a los profesionales los medios adecuados para ayudar en los duelos y elaborar los suyos propios como medida de prevención del quemado. Estos medios pueden incluir protocolos de duelo que contemplen la intervención con la familia, el cuidador principal, otros pacientes y/o residentes y el equipo profesional cuidador. Para terminar, se afirma que las pérdidas de las personas con demencia tienen que ser consideradas evitando fenómenos, como el silenciamiento y la sobreprotección, facilitando la acogida y el acompañamiento de su dolor, de manera que no se produzcan enmascaramientos y complicaciones de índole orgánica y emocional (AU)
This article provides a definition and description of grief, its characteristics, and the current explanatory models of this phenomenon (the stage model, task model, constructivist model and dual process model). The authors argue that a state of mourning in advance is produced in the process of dementia as a result of significant relational loss before death and describe the risk factors for complicated grief in caregivers: overload, lack of personal and material resources, delegation of care, and complex feelings such as guilt. The need for healthcare organizations to provide professional caregivers with the appropriate means to help with grief and to develop their own measures to prevent burnout is stressed. These measures could include protocols that provide bereavement intervention with the family, the primary caregiver, other patients and/or residents and the professional caregiving team. Finally, losses in persons with dementia must be taken into consideration, avoiding phenomena such as silencing and overprotection and encouraging acceptance and emotional support of their pain so that organic and emotional complications do not occur (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Aged , Caregivers/psychology , Dementia , Grief , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
This article provides a definition and description of grief, its characteristics, and the current explanatory models of this phenomenon (the stage model, task model, constructivist model and dual process model). The authors argue that a state of mourning in advance is produced in the process of dementia as a result of significant relational loss before death and describe the risk factors for complicated grief in caregivers: overload, lack of personal and material resources, delegation of care, and complex feelings such as guilt. The need for healthcare organizations to provide professional caregivers with the appropriate means to help with grief and to develop their own measures to prevent burnout is stressed. These measures could include protocols that provide bereavement intervention with the family, the primary caregiver, other patients and/or residents and the professional caregiving team. Finally, losses in persons with dementia must be taken into consideration, avoiding phenomena such as silencing and overprotection and encouraging acceptance and emotional support of their pain so that organic and emotional complications do not occur.
