Have you heard the term “secondary losses”? As I was researching grief in individuals with disabilities, this term came up a lot. A “primary loss”, is the actual loss that occurred (e.g. your brother dying, your favorite roommate moving out) and it can be painful. “Secondary losses” are the losses that come because of the primary loss. This could mean lack of social support, decreased access to activities or extended family, financial insecurity, having to move, etc. People with disabilities are more likely to experience secondary losses and they are more likely to be severely impacted by them.
Look at the example on this slide:
For people who experience a primary loss, but don’t have a disability, they may not be as impacted by secondary losses. They are more likely to have multiple systems of support, they are more financially stable and can afford help, they are less reliant on people.
When it comes to supporting someone with a disability who is going through grief (especially a death loss), one of the best things caregivers and staff can do is find a way to minimize those secondary losses. Here is what you can do:
- Identify how the person supported them.
2. Find alternate people who can provide similar support
If the individual you are supporting has cognitive/communication differences, it can be helpful to make things visual. I like to try to be as specific as I can in showing the person who they will continually be supported. Here is an example:
In this visual I am showing the client specific people who will help her and what activities they will help/do with her.