Providing grief and bereavement support in aged care

ELDAC Webinar: Providing grief and bereavement support in aged care

Several factors influence how people experience grief, such as age, past experiences with loss, and beliefs or spirituality. For older adults, grief may also relate to other losses like declining health, unfulfilled life plans, and a sense of diminishing levels of independence.

Providing grief and bereavement support that aligns with the spiritual, cultural, and psychosocial needs of older people, as outlined in the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, is essential. Information about loss and bereavement should also be provided to family members and carers.

This expert-led webinar will provide individuals working in aged care with an overview of how to support people experiencing grief and bereavement. A panel of experts will share their insights and practical tips on how to respond to cues to provide grief and bereavement support to individuals and their families in aged care.

Learning Objectives:
- How to respond to the grief and bereavement needs of individuals, their families and carers.
- Practice considerations when supporting a person living with dementia who is experiencing grief and bereavement.
- Outline strategies on how to build staff knowledge, confidence and skills in grief and bereavement in aged care.

Presenter & Panellists:

Dr Kristin Bindley, OAM

Kristin is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales. Kristin is also an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers and the national Bereavement Consultant Lead for Palliative Care Social Work Australia.

Dr Peter Archer

Peter joined HammondCare’s Residential Care service as a Pastoral Care Manager in 2015. He is currently Head of Pastoral Care Healthcare & Hospitals and Research.
In 2024, he completed his PhD at the University of Aberdeen, under the supervision of Professor John Swinton. Its focus is on the experience of dementia and Christian worship. Peter is married to Joanne and has two adult children.

Deb Sullivan

Deb is a Clinical Nurse Consultant who has worked across many areas of health in Australia and the United Kingdom for over 20 years. Deb joined Dementia Australia’s NSW Nightingale Program in 2024; a specialist nurse-led support and palliative care service promoting choice, wellbeing, and forward planning.

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