The Role of Art Therapy in Hospice: An Understanding of the Grief Process for Caregivers

Abstract

The responsibilities of caregiving create enormous pressures and risks for caregivers. Burnout, compromised health, depression, and depletion of financial resources are a reality of daily life for millions of Americans who are caregiving for a loved one (Family Caregiver Alliance, 2011). Family caregivers will increasingly provide care for aging parents or family members as the population of Americans over 65 rapidly increases (Family Caregiver Alliance, 2011). In addition to aging adults, other individuals in hospice care will require a caregiver for daily needs. In order to maintain the important role they play, caregivers’ experiences must be examined so that appropriate support for their quality of life can be provided (American Hospital Association, 2007). A systematic study of the existing literature on grief and art therapy in the hospice setting was undertaken over a nine month period. An 8 week program was developed from the resulting data that offers group art therapy to caregivers within the hospice setting. The program was designed to assist caregivers in their journey of grief and provide a group framework for learning self-care strategies for mental and physical well-being. It was hypothesized that art therapy can potentially benefit the caregiver allowing them to provide proper care to the patient and explore their own grief process after the patient has passed. Using art therapy interventions, the proposed group can be utilized or implemented by a trained art therapist to help explore the dynamics of grief through creative process and discussion. The support from art therapy groups for caregivers is intended to result in a positive reflection of self- expression and self-awareness so that the individual can continue to live meaningfully after their loved one has passed.