title: "One Size Doesn't Fit All" -Partners in Hospice Care, an Individualized Approach to Bereavement Intervention.
abstract: We concluded in a recent study that a "one size fits all" approach typical of group interventions often does not adequately accommodate the range of situations, life experiences, and current needs of participants. We describe how this limitation informed the design and implementation of an individually-delivered intervention format more specifically tailored to the unique needs of each bereaved person. The intervention comprises one of three interrelated studies withinPartners in Hospice Care(PHC), which examines the trajectory from end-of-life care through bereavement among cancer caregivers using hospice. The PHC intervention employs an initial needs assessment in order to tailor the session content, delivery, and sequencing to the most pressing, yet highly diverse needs of the bereaved spouses/partners. Although an individually-delivered format has its own challenges, these can be effectively addressed through standardized interventionist training, regular communication among staff, as well as a flexible approach toward participants' preferences and circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program, 5175 College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, (801) 581-3572.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Caserta
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, California State University San Bernardino, 550 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, (909) 537-3748, dlund@csusb.edu.
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, 301 Behavioral Science Bldg. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, (801) 699-5685, rebecca.utz@soc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Utz
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, 301 Behavioral Science Bldg, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, (801) 634-7913, jennifer.tabler@utah.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer Lyn
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tabler