Communicating About Loss: Experiences of Older Australian Adults With Cerebral Palsy and Complex Communication Needs

Abstract

Loss and grief is a universal human experience, yet little is known about how older adults with a lifelong disability, such as cerebral palsy, and complex communication needs (CCN) experience loss and manage the grieving process. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 Australian participants with cerebral palsy and CCN to determine the types of loss experienced by this group in their later years, sources of support available to manage loss, and the role of communication as a barrier or facilitator to a successful grieving process. The results are discussed in light of current grief and loss theory, and clinical implications and opportunities for further research are suggested.