A what?

Thanatology
The study of death and dying, especially in their psychological and social aspects.

I have never heard of this profession until I received an email from a woman who does this for a living. And I am amazed.

From Donalyn’s web site:

Dr. Donalyn Gross, PhD., LCSW, CMP, Thanatologist
D. Gross, PhD., LCSW, CMP, Thanatologist, has worked with the terminally ill and their loved ones for over thirty years. She has worked in hospitals, correctional systems, been a hospice volunteer director, has taught college courses in death and dying, and gives workshops on death and dying issues.

Donalyn created a program called Good Endings.

At her web site, Donalyn offers training materials for nursing home staff who work with people who are dying- so this encompasses all nurses and CNA’s of course:

GOOD ENDINGS-Caring for the Dying Resident-A Guide Twelve page booklet dealing with the end of life issues for those in the nursing home and health care agency field. Provides strategies and insights for caregivers. It includes Five Stages of dying, Problems Associated With a Terminal Diagnosis, How We Can Help The Dying, Physical Signs of Active Dying, and After A Death. $2.00 each booklet plus s/h.

We have written here many times how CNA’s are not prepared to deal with the emotional aspects of the death process. We even lack good training when it comes to Hospice practices in all honesty. I think any education on this matter is worthy of having on hand. Donalyn sells booklets which can be shared with staff and perhaps an in service can be developed based on her program. She offers on site training for nursing homes located in the North East region of the US.

Additionally she offers CD’s with her own music, which she uses harps as a means to relax people who are in the process of dying. She authored an article on this topic at Long Term Care Living recently.

Be sure to check this out. The booklets alone would make an excellent addition to Staff Develop book resources.