"I thought he had longer than that": family caregivers' experiences of grief, loss, and bereavement in residential aged care.

backgroundResidential aged care is increasingly becoming the final place of care for many older adults in high-income countries. For many families, grief begins well before the death of their loved one, emerging as early as the time of entry into residential care. This grief often continues as they witness ongoing decline and deterioration and extends into bereavement following the resident's death. While caregiver grief is well recognised, there is limited understanding of how these experiences unfold across this full journey and the specific challenges families face at each stage. This study explored the grief, loss and bereavement needs of family caregivers of people who are about to enter, living in, or have died in a residential aged care facility.

methodsThis qualitative study used semi-structured interviews and focus groups with family caregivers and residential aged care staff. Data were managed using NVivo and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis approach.

findingsThirty eight participants (n = 28 staff members; and n = 10 family caregivers) from nine residential aged care services participated in the study. Five themes developed from the data: (i) grief manifests early and is associated with the loss of caregiver role; (ii) grief and emotional strain arise in transition, creating support needs; (iii) timely communication and tailored care shapes grief experience at end-of-life; (iv) inclusive after-death rituals support meaningful closure; and (v) relational support and community sustain families in grief. Participants highlighted the complexity of grief and loss experienced by family caregivers throughout their loved one's journey in residential aged care, from admission to death.

conclusionsEstablishing culturally sensitive, timely, and open conversations about death and dying while fostering strong and supportive relationships between staff, caregivers, and residents is crucial in helping family caregivers navigate their grief, loss, and bereavement.