How Clinicians Can Deal With Loss

By Julie Brown, OTR/L, BCG, LSVT Certified, Evergreen CDCS
Occupational Therapist

As a clinician working with older adult patients, you come to realize and understand the mortality of your patients. At times, we are faced with an occasional passing of a current or past patient and grieve for them. But never have we experienced or imagined a time such as this with an increased loss of patients and senior living community members.

Almost 600,000 Americans have died in the past 15 months as a result of COVID-19 and related complications. Of these 600,000, more than 370,000 of them were people over the age of 65. These are unprecedented losses.

Death and loss affect people in different ways. As clinicians, we work day in and day out with our patients and develop strong, often family-like bonds, making each loss feel personal. In the last year, there has been no reprieve. The losses have continued exponentially.

Clinicians tend to be upbeat, positive individuals encouraging patient success. But grief and the loss of our patients is a real thing that must be dealt with and processed for our own mental health and well-being.

Grief is defined as the natural response to the loss of a person or things that were valued or loved. It is a highly individualized process, as unique as the person experiencing it, and can occur on many levels from emotional and physical to social and spiritual.

Tips to Deal with Patient Deaths

So, how do we as clinicians deal with grief and loss in a healthy way?

Acknowledge the Loss

Treat it as any other type of loss; it is real. Try not to minimize the impact of the loss. Experience the strong emotions you are having. Allow yourself to feel the sadness, anger, shock, and disbelief. Understand that you may experience physical changes as well— trouble sleeping, nausea, fatigue, lashing out at others, poor concentration.

Seek Comfort and Lean on Others

One of the best ways people can deal with a loss is to discuss it rather than avoid it. Talk with your colleagues, supervisor, friends, family, people you trust, or even a therapist. Seek support from your faith-based community.

A good support network is key. Attend a local grief support group. Use your company’s EAP if available.

Create a Routine

Rely on the positive coping mechanisms you have. Try to keep a regular sleep schedule. Maintain a healthy diet. Continue with your regular exercise program, hobbies, mediation, yoga, etc.

Minimize Avoidance Behaviors

Avoid drinking or using substances to deal with the loss. Try not to isolate yourself from others or avoid work. Don’t allow yourself to sleep too much.

Consider Ways to Honor Your Patients

Participate in a celebration of life ceremony. Attend the funeral or plan a small ceremony with your colleagues to honor your patient. Plant a tree, send a donation to your (or their) favorite charity in their memory.

Spend time reminiscing about them with their family or others who were touched by their life. Reach out to your patient’s family to express your condolences and to share memories, helping ease their grief as well as your own.

Keep on going. Continue working and helping others in spite of your loss and pain.

The past year has been especially difficult for clinicians who have had to deal with the loss of patients from COVID-19, but it is important to allow yourself to grieve. Ensure you find healthy outlets and focus not only on the loss but on the uplifting aspects of your career and how you are truly helping people.