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Family members of patients who died following Alzheimer's, lung cancer, and renal failure consistently required increased bereavement services, according to a study of families of a hospice provider in Kentucky.

Greater need for bereavement counseling

July 1, 2010

Greater need for bereavement counseling

3 diseases indicated in study

Family members of patients who died following Alzheimer's, lung cancer, and renal failure consistently required increased bereavement services, according to a study of families of a hospice provider in Kentucky.1

Data were examined from those requesting increased bereavement services over a two-year period. The survivors then were matched with the disease type of their loved one to see whether there was a connection between the two. At least 50% of the time, families of patients who died with Alzheimer's, lung cancer, and renal disease required more bereavement support than families of patients who died following other diseases. Other disease types indicated more erratic patterns for increased grief services.

Reference

1. Jones BW. Hospice disease types which indicate a greater need for bereavement counseling. Am J Hosp Palliat Med 2010; 27:187-190.