Description
Book SynopsisThe book contributes to an awareness of the significance of loss in the life experience of persons with mental retardation. Experiencing loss may be a very powerful vulnerability in their mental or psychological life, and dealing with this loss is a basic element in psychological health. There has been an enormous hole in the death and dying literature and in the mental retardation literature on the mourning behavior and needs of persons with mental retardation. This book fills that hole, and lays a foundation for grief support services, establishes standards of practice and care, and is an educational primer about the loss and mourning needs of persons with mental retardation.
Table of ContentsPreface
Acknowledgments
CHAPTER 1: Loss is At the Heart of Life: A General Introduction to Grief and the Practice of Helping Persons Who are Mourning
The Person Who Gives Grief Support
Knowledge of the Grief of Others
The Caregivers Awareness of His or Her Own Mortality
The Very Psychological Development of the Self is a Process of Mourning Losses
Supporting the Mourning Process of Others
Recognizing Grief and Facilitating the Mourning Process
Recognizing Grief is the Basic Supportive Response to Grief
Grief is a Disturbance
Recognize the Diverse Kinds of Loss Experience that Occur in the Lives of Persons with Mental Retardation
CHAPTER 2: Guidelines for Supporting and Facilitating the Mourning Process
The Aim of the Supportive Environment is to Facilitate the Mourning Process
When a Death Happens: General Guidelines
Does a Person with Mental Retardation Understand Death?
Breaking the News of a Death
Begin with an Assessment
Acceptance, Affirmation, and Validation of Grief
Symbolization
Facilitate Active and Maximum Participation in Social Experience of the Loss and Facilitate Activities for the Person to Experience the Loss
Support the Adaptation Needs of the Grieving Person
Preparation for the Death of a Primary Family Caregiver
Teachable Moments
Anniversaries and Holiday: Personal Memorial Days
Lois
The Collaborative Relationship between Grief Counselor/Therapist and Agency or Family
Grief Support Interventions for a Residence
What to Do When a Peer is Dying
Intense Grief Disrupts a Residence
CHAPTER 3: The Language of Grief in Persons with Mental Retardation
Introduction to the Behavioral Language of Grief
Nicholas
Doris
Jamie
Perry
CHAPTER 4: Psychological Concerns and Complications
Introduction to Psychological Concerns and Complications
Compulsivity, Perseveration, and Ritualization: Preventing Change
Harold
Dependence/Attachment
Chad
Ambivalence
Hank
Aggression, Anger, Hatred, Revenge, Indifference, Paranoia, etc.: Death as an Accusation
Betty
Caroline
Sarah
Jimmy
Somatization
Milo
Self-Loathing, Self-Directed Anger, Guilt, Shame, and Other Attacks of the Self.
Mark
Phillip
Manny
Jason
Chronic Low-Level Anxiety as Narcissistic Grief
Donna
Thoughts on the Relation of Complications in the Grief of Persons with Mental Retardation to Psychodynamics of Grief in all Persons
CHAPTER 5: Program Development: The Creation of a Grief Supportive Community
Guidelines for Agencies
Introduction: Preparation for Responding to Losses
Agency Loss Team
Agency Self-Assessment of Loss Experiences
Client Loss Assessment
Supporting Staff as a Way of Cultivating an Agency Climate of Grief Support
Staff Turnover
The Beginning Phase of the Helping Relationship
The Middle Phase of the Helping Relationship
The Termination Phase of the Helping Relationship ,br> Staff Training Programs
Placement: Crisis and Process
The Crisis of Placement
Meg
The Placement Process, as a Policy of Residential Agencies
Aging and Illness
Client Education
Families
CHAPTER 6: Experience in a Grief Group
REFERENCES Not Cited in Text on Mourning and Mental Retardation
Index
About the Author
