b"CARING FOR STAFFMemorial servicesoften framed as celebrations of lifeare another way that homes honour residents collectively as a team. These can include a guest book placed beneath the residents photo, where residents and staff members who arent vocal can write their thoughts. Reflection roomsHonouring emotionsIn some cases, homes may lack a dedicated room for grieving. Reflection rooms address this by Creating workplaces that acknowledge andproviding a safe, private place for grieving staff who would otherwise be support staff griefleft nowhere to hide, says Potoczny. By Matthew Bradford Reflection rooms are a place where they can write a reflection, or just sit, G rief, it has been said, is thecreating workplaces that recognizehave a glass of water, have a cry, she adds, emphasizing the importance of price we pay for love. Andand support their team membersliterally making room for a shared in a sector that prioritizesgrief, highlighting that some of thehuman experience that deserves time, forming human connections, it isinterventions came from frontline staffspace and care.inevitable that many long-term carewho have attended the CLRIs All-In professionals experience grief in all itsPalliative Care training.Set times to talk many forms.Sometimes, grief just needs an open Education on grief and selfcareear. With this in mind, homes are Were told from the day we enterThe work of creating grief-friendlybeginning to implement designated long-term care that its person- workplaces begins with understandingtimes after a residents death to centred careand the expectation iswhat is often a complex emotion.provide a welcoming forum in which that we will get to know the residentsGrief is a natural human response tostaff are free to express grief and like theyre our family, says Nadialoss. It is not a weakness, and neithershare memories. These are voluntary Potoczny, Education Coordinatoris it something that can easily beand across shifts. Sometimes this is at the Ontario Centres for Learning,brushed aside.referred to as a grief debrief.Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care at Bruyre Health. ButPeer support initiatives when residents die, she says, griefGrief does not follow a neat,Everyone grieves in their own way support isnt always available to staff,predictable line. Thats why it may flyon their own time. Nevertheless, its or the support may be informal under the radar or be mistaken forimportant to foster a workplace in or inconsistent.stress or fatigue. Providing educationwhich peers are checking in onon grief and self-care to staff helpsone another and are comfortable Potoczny, who worked for manythem identify when theyre grieving,stepping in when their coworkersyears in long-term care homes, knowshow to address the emotion, andare struggling. these challenges firsthand. Ongoingwhat supports are available to them.exposure to loss can leave staff feelingCeremonies and remembrancesBuilding these connections is an burned out, emotionally drained, andimportant form of self-care, Potoczny unable to bring their full selves toMany homes hold honour guardsays. At a more formal level, there is work, she says. Grief is a commonprocessions where the resident isvalue in designating a staff member experience as the majority of long- escorted out of the front door underto check in with coworkers after a term care staff report managinga dignity blanket, surrounded by staffresident dies to connect them to grief symptoms (72%, according toand residents, and accompanied byresources, encourage participation, research published in the Journal ofmusic chosen by the resident and notice who may needLong Term Care).or family.extra support.Fortunately, an increasing number ofIt's one of the most powerful thingsLeadership acknowledgementhomes are addressing these supportIve seen, says Potoczny. FromLeadership is pivotal in shaping a grief-gaps with practical, meaningfulher experience, these momentsinformed culture within long-term care interventions. In a presentation atcan resonate beyond staff to otherhomes. You lead by example, says OLTCAs 2025 This is Long Termresidents and family members,Potoczny. During my years in long-Care conference, Potoczny sharedcontributing to huge changes in term care, I had an administrator who examples and advice for homes onthe culture. was there at every single celebration 28 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2026"