Grief support matters at every stage of serious illness

(NC) Grief is a natural response to loss and can begin long before a death. When a serious illness is diagnosed, progresses or requires treatments, grief may appear in response to the loss of health, independence or a future once imagined.

These experiences can be intense and can affect someone’s emotional, psychological and physical well-being. Responses such as sadness, anger, fatigue, confusion or loss of appetite may come and go. Each person’s experience of grief is unique.

Living with serious illness and experiences of loss. People living with serious illness may find their relationships shifting and their roles within family, chosen family, workplace or social circles changing. These adjustments are a natural part of living with serious illness and can bring up both emotional and physical responses.

Grief for those who care for and support others. Grief also affects those who care for someone living with serious illness. Supporting someone through illness, treatment or decline can trigger grief throughout the caregiving journey as well as after a death.

Grief support and palliative care. Palliative care supports people living with serious illness and those who care for them from the time of diagnosis, through the course of illness and after a death. It focuses on quality of life, emotional well-being and grief support alongside other treatments. Care teams and community leaders can connect individuals to local or online support resources, including community groups, counsellors or cultural supports.

Grief doesn’t follow a fixed timeline. Its intensity can change over time, often appearing at unexpected moments. Recognizing grief as part of serious illness and caregiving helps people access support, adjust to losses and care for themselves and for others.

Palliative care that addresses grief and supports quality of life can make a real difference for people living with serious illness and those who care for them. You can learn more at canada.ca/palliative-care.