Social Work With Grief and Loss Teaching Module

This mini-module includes a required reading list, recommendations for a lecture about grief across the lifespan following Erickson’s stages of development – ending with Ego Integrity vs. Despair, and a link to the video of interviews with seniors who have lost a spouse titled “In Their Own Words: Integrity and Despair.” The module also includes discussion questions for pre- and post-video, a review sheet on Depression and Seniors, and a follow-up exercise.

Competencies Addressed in This Module:

1. Assessment of cognitive functioning and mental health status of older clients.
2. Use of empathy and sensitive interviewing skills to engage older clients in identifying their strengths and problems.
3. Identification of issues related to losses, changes, and transitions over the life cycle in designing interventions.