title: Utilization of Hospice Bereavement Support by At-Risk Family Members.
abstract: Approximately 10% of the bereaved are at risk of bereavement-related mental health disorders. Hospices' bereavement services could potentially address needs of many at risk, but little is known about their service use. We analyzed data from 6160 bereaved family members of hospice patients. Risk of mental health problems was identified by hospice providers postloss. Of those characterized as "at-risk," 52% used services compared to 18% of the "low risk." Factors associated with service use among at-risk were female gender and younger age of death. Those who lost a child used services less than other bereaved. Although hospices appear to be skilled at identifying and providing bereavement services to the at-risk, services do not reach almost half. Results suggest the need to improve care access, especially among men and those losing a child.
authors.affiliation: Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA ag1428@hunter.cuny.edu.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghesquiere
authors.affiliation: TRU Community Care Hospice, Lafayette, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, White Plains, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Martha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bruce
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006738:Hospices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bereavement; family caregivers; hospice; mental health; risk factors; service utilization