Feature -- by Mark Sproxton           Français Version

Death and dying are topics few discuss in our society. Many, however, must confront these issues and the varied reactions these issues arouse every day. Palliative care units in hospitals, hospices and terminal care facilities are staffed by people trained to help others through their concerns related to terminal illness.

"This kind of work really forces a person to examine their own thoughts about death and dying," explains Stefanie Kaiser, a social worker with the palliative care unit of the Rockyview General Hospital. "Our society really avoids that. It's not the right thing for everybody. But to see somebody work through the grief process or open-up about things, I feel very fortunate to be able to help people at that time."

That help comes in many forms, and is available to more than just the person diagnosed with a terminal illness. Kaiser helps individuals and their family and friends deal with issues such as funeral planning, writing wills, financial concerns or moving to a hospice. Ensuring physical and/or psycho-social comfort for all are prime concerns.

"When I first meet with (individuals), I spend some time assessing where they're at with their illness," Kaiser said. " I try to find from them what their main concerns are at the present time. For some it will be beneficiaries, for some it will be family and leaving children behind." In the initial meeting with family and friends, Kaiser tries to determine where they're at with the news and what issues need to be addressed to help everyone through the situation.

"A lot of family issues that have been going on for a long time come out in crisis like these, such as problems between siblings," she said. "We're not in a position to change what's been happening for 50 years. We support each of the family members and make sure that person is comfortable and the family is comfortable."

Seeing first-hand the process of being able to help individuals and families through times of death and grieving initially drew Kaiser to social work. While volunteering at a local hospice she met a social worker who further explained the work and it struck a chord. Kaiser went on to complete her bachelor and master of social work degrees.

A training program volunteers at the hospice were required to take also helped with Kaiser's palliative education. The training program -- required for volunteers at many nursing homes -- included sessions with representatives from home care, funeral homes, pastoral care and doctors. These speakers gave her a different perspective on the issues of death, dying and grieving allowing her to find many rewards in seeing how people deal successfully with their issues.

Working in a hospital setting means she has a flexible schedule and is able to set up her own meetings with individuals and families, mostly held on the unit. Sudden deaths, which do occur from time to time, mean her plans change and she may end up spending an entire afternoon with one family and supporting them or helping them follow up with funeral arrangements. Working in a team that includes nurses, doctors, therapists and volunteers, weekly and daily meetings to keep everyone updated on patients' progress are also held.

Kaiser doesn't hide the fact the work can be difficult emotionally and that activities unrelated to the job are required to remain healthy. But she enjoys being able to help and support people in the ways they require. "What I really like about this work is you're interacting with people all the time," she said. "It is fast-paced, diverse and very rewarding work."

Skills such as respecting peoples' differences, empathy and being able to listen are paramount, she said. "For example, one patient wasn't accepting of what was going on. Well, we all have our own values and how we think a person should talk to their family about it. They may never get to that place. And I can't push that along. It's respecting where everyone is at."