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BSHS/439

Grief, Loss and End of Life Issues

3 credits

Total credits

5 weeks

Course length

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Take this course on its own, or as part of a degree or certificate program.

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Course level: Upper Division

In this course, students will learn strategies for facilitating the transition from curative measures to palliative care for the relief of emotional/psychological distress, pain, and a range of physical symptoms. Core competencies involve demonstrated learning of methods for anticipating the demands of end-of-life caregiving including advanced directives, 24/7 services, hospice case management, care and placement options, and easing the common challenges as individuals and families move from care and grief modalities to acceptance and healing. Students will demonstrate understanding of patient and caregiver needs and roles in late life care with topics that include: practical care assistance and early preparation, referral for financial and legal assistance, comfort and dignity issues, respite care, grief support, focusing on client values and concerns, and addressing family conflict. (3 credits) Prerequisite: BSHS/438.

Course skills and outcomes

Discuss the importance of studying death.

Define death and the connection death has in our lives.

Evaluate attitudes and practices regarding death, considering the American perspective.

Discuss the American perspective about the aging and death concept.

Identify personal aspects or characteristics that affect the coping and grieving process.

Differentiate between grief, mourning, and bereavement and how these differ from person to person.

Relate theories and frameworks of grief to the skills of the human service professional.

Define uncomplicated and complicated grief.

Explain the coping tasks associated with each developmental stage of life.

Identify special populations and experiences which require alternative ways of coping with grief and loss.

List some grief counseling techniques which can service special populations.

Differentiate between palliative care, hospice, home care, health programs, and mental health services.

Determine support systems for individuals facing death and for their families.

Explain end of life moral and legal issues present before, at, and after death, including tissue donation and disposition of body and estate .

Evaluate how theories of facing death may be used to help the dying individual and the caregivers .

Recommend coping skills strategies for grief counselors and caregivers to cope with end of life of loved ones.

Analyze the relationships among death beliefs, personal and social choices, human morality, and the meaning of death.

Evaluate the significance of self-care when working with grief issues.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and secondary trauma.

Construct personal coping strategies to decrease vulnerability to compassion fatigue and strengthen professional boundaries.

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Learn from instructors who bring an average of 25 years of working experience to the classroom.

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Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed. Also, check to see if your employer will cover you for this course.

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The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

Grief, Loss and End of Life Issues

What you'll learn