Wrapped with love-art therapy in paediatric palliative care

Wrapped with love-art therapy in paediatric palliative care

King J

Supportive Care in Cancer

2018

human; child; expectation; female; male; palliative therapy; comfort; controlled study; conference abstract; narrative; human experiment; art therapy; extended family; grandchild; grandparent; program effectiveness; rest

Introduction To discuss the extended family support that is required in children's palliative care, focusing on Grandparents, who sometimes may be seen as the 'forgotten mourners'. Objectives Utilizing art psychotherapy in a group setting to encourage peer support between ten grandparents (bereaved and non-bereaved) within our inaugural weekend Camp program. Methods Detailing one art therapy session the first morning of the Camp where each of the group chose a pebble to represent their grandchild. They were then invited to choose a different layer, from an extensive array of art materials, to represent each of the important people that wrap, swaddle, comfort, protect, support, and surround this child. There was time dedicated to share their experience and/or artwork within the confidential safe space of the group. This allowed them to express some of the difficulties of having a grandchild with a life limiting illness and the dynamics within the extended family. Results Anonymous pre-and post-narrative evaluations were used to assess expectations prior to the Grandparents weekend and the effectiveness of the program. Discussions within the group at the end of the session and throughout the rest of the weekend revealed that although it had been hard for some to open up, and at times emotional, it was therapeutic and helped form strong bonds within the grandparents. Conclusions It was a useful tool to share internally with the multi-disciplinary team, with added insight utilizing this creative medium. Would possibly like to evaluate more specifically the art therapy component of the program in future camps.

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August 2018 List