Awareness of Care Managers Concerning Grief Care for Older Bereaved Individuals Living Alone Following the Loss of Their Spouse: A Qualitative Research

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Japan has the most rapidly aging population worldwide, with older adults expected to reach 38.7% by 2070. Furthermore, individuals ≥ 60 years old desire to spend their final days at home. Following the establishment of the Long-Term Care Insurance System in 2000, care managers at home care support facilities continually assist most older adults receiving home care. Moreover, home-based end-of-life care is expected to increase. Therefore, the care manager's role will be crucial in providing end-of-life care support and offering grief care to bereaved families following a patient's passing. In this study, we aimed to clarify the perceptions of care managers regarding grief care for older bereaved individuals following the loss of their spouse and living alone. <b>Methods</b>: Seventeen care managers with prior experience in grief care for older bereaved individuals who became independent after the death of their spouse were interviewed. The 17 care managers comprised 2 men and 15 women, aged between their late 30s and early 60s. Qualitative data analysis was performed. <b>Results</b>: The following five categories were generated regarding the perceptions of care managers: necessity of supporting older bereaved individuals, ambivalent feelings towards grief care, death considerations, need for reflection, and challenges in implementing grief care. <b>Conclusions</b>: Care managers recognized the importance of maintaining a continued relationship before death, including the need for assessing older bereaved individuals, and collaborating with multiple professions in grief care.