Assuntos
Difusão de Inovações , Enfermagem Geriátrica , Informática em Enfermagem , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Atitude Frente aos Computadores , Alfabetização Digital , Capacitação de Usuário de Computador , Educação Continuada em Enfermagem , Enfermagem Geriátrica/educação , Enfermagem Geriátrica/organização & administração , Humanos , Informática em Enfermagem/educação , Informática em Enfermagem/organização & administração , Competência ProfissionalRESUMO
The death of the last parent has a profound effect on survivors. Health care workers are often the first source of anticipatory guidance for newly orphaned adults as they cope with grief, loss, and awareness that their lives are forever changed. It is estimated that more than 80 million Americans were born between 1946 and 1964. As this Baby Boomer generation, often defined as seeing themselves as culturally special, becomes "orphaned," they may be less aware, less prepared, and less supported than any previous group of Americans regarding this life event. For a number of adults, the loss creates many unexpected results that can destabilize life in profound ways. This article describes the unique new realities of helping adult orphans as they relate to health care providers and discusses the problems associated with prolonged and complicated grief. Implications for geriatric caregivers, mental health providers, health educators, and others are proposed.
