The rollercoaster model of the bereaved caregiver

The grief associated with bereavement, while a natural response to loss, is usually a traumatic life event. The bereavement experience for a primary caregiver with the experience of caring for a loved one is complex, especially if this role has required them to relinquish aspects of their own life. The healing trajectory for the bereaved carer is often more complex than for many other bereavements, given the pre-death experience of caregiving. This paper describes the development of a bereavement model which arose from significant clinical experience of working with bereaved carers in a community palliative care environment. The model assists the bereaved carer in gaining insight into their experience and a focus for their psychological and emotional expression, thereby promoting adaptation to the transition and promoting a healthier grief trajectory.