Death, Grief and Trauma
Online Training
Presented by Fairfax County Department of Family Services – Adult and Aging, and Longevity Project for a greater Richmond
About the Training
Death, loss and trauma are often a part of working in Adult and Aging services. Navigating these dynamics can be challenging on both a professional and personal level. In this series, you will learn about “The Good Death,” what loss and trauma looks like and tools to help you support your clients as well as yourself.
Four topics will be presented:
Death and Dying: “The Good Death”
Session I: The Good Death – An Overview
Session II: The Good Death – Models of Care
The Trifecta: Grief, Loss, and Trauma
Session I: Grief, Loss and Trauma – An Overview
Session II: Grief, Loss and Trauma – Practical Application
Toolbox
One session
Leading The Way
Session for supervisors
INSTRUCTORS
Enid Walker Butler, MSG, CT
Affiliate Instructor, Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Gerontology
Enid Walker Butler is an affiliate instructor for Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Gerontology as well as the Volunteer Coordinator for Sentara Hospice Services. She holds as Master of Science in Gerontology as well as a Certification of Thanatology from the Association of Death Education and Counseling. She is also a former citizen member of the Cemetery Board for the Commonwealth of Virginia. After a long career in the business sector, Enid has committed this next chapter of her life to walking alongside vulnerable older adults through the transitions of their lives.
Angela Flack, MDiv
Assistant Professor, ACPE Certified Educator, Virginia Commonwealth University
Angela Flack, Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Certified Educator, serves as the Assistant Professor and ACPE Certified Educator in the Department of Patient Counseling. She received a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Appalachian State University and a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She completed a two-year pastoral counseling residency at the University of Louisville, Department of Ethics and Pastoral Counseling, Outpatient Psychiatry. She was invited into the ACPE supervisory education program at the University of Virginia Health System after completing a residency in 2003. She is an ordained minister and endorsed by the Alliance of Baptists.
Death and Dying: “The Good Death”
Although there is no one universally right way to die, themes have emerged from the research that supports a framework for “The Good Death.” In these two sessions, we will be examining end-of-life through the lens of “The Good Death, recognizing the individuality of death, the importance of self-determination, and what autonomy looks like in an EOL context. Using a
holistic perspective, we will examine the role of spiritual, cultural, social, and psychological aspects of death and dying for older adults, their families, and loved ones and how we can support compassionate EOL care.
Objectives:
- To understand the dynamics of death in the US and what the research says about “The Good Death.”
- To understand the psychosocial and spiritual factors of the dying process and how that impacts us as providers of care.
- To develop a working knowledge of EOL care models.
- To understand the tools available for EOL decision-making.
Session I: The Good Death – An Overview
March 13, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm ET
Recording
Session II: The Good Death – Models of Care
March 16, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm ET
The Trifecta: Grief, Loss, and Trauma
Everyone experiences grief and loss. Recently, attention has been given to the presence of grief, loss, and trauma within the workplace because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These, two sessions will review grief and loss theories including contemporary insights from leading experts. We will use a variety of discussion platforms and brainstorming to apply these theories to experiences of working with older adults and their families. Additionally, will explore the integration of these theories as they relate to trauma and resiliency.
Objectives:
- To learn and review theories of grief and loss
- To explore types of grief and loss
- To explore the role of trauma in work-life balance
- To develop a common grief, loss, and trauma vocabulary
- Identify private and public rituals of remembrance for use within the workplace
Session I: Grief, Loss and Trauma – An Overview
March 21, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Recording
Slides
Trifecta-1Session II: Grief, Loss and Trauma – Practical Application
March 30, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Slides
Trauma-2The Toolbox
Although there is no one universally right way to die, themes have emerged from the research that supports a framework for “The Good Death.” In these two sessions, we will be examining end-of-life through the lens of “The Good Death, recognizing the individuality of death, the importance of self-determination, and what autonomy looks like in an EOL context. Using a
holistic perspective, we will examine the role of spiritual, cultural, social, and psychological aspects of death and dying for older adults, their families, and loved ones and how we can support compassionate EOL care.
Objectives:
- Understand compassion fatigue, primary and secondary traumatic stress
- Understand the mitigating factors of compassion satisfaction, self-compassion,
resilience, and holistic self-care - Learn new strategies and tools to support self-honoring mental and physical well-being
Leading The Way (for supervisors)
The focus of this time will be to review the concepts of appreciative inquiry and the trauma-informed workplace as resources for employee and team engagement. Our focus will look at evidence-based practices and research. We will brainstorm ways in which conceptual material can be applied to DSS adult services teams.
Objectives:
- To explore and develop a working knowledge of the concept of appreciative inquiry within the work environment
- To explore and develop a working knowledge of trauma-informed theory best practices within the work environment
Leading the Way
April 13, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Registration to be announced.