Lesson 3: Tracking Aftercare Families For Follow-Up
You will need to track your families for aftercare follow-up, particularly for follow-up telephone calls by staff members. There are database
programs available to automate this process on the computer. A simple and successful telephone contact cross-filing system follows. For each person who will be called, create two 3x5 cards.
Illustration of Alpha Card
Name of Primary Person Address Telephone Number
Name of deceased and date of death Relationship to Primary Person |
|
Illustration of Date Card
Name of Primary Person
Telephone number
Date of home visit - Name of deceased - Date of Death
1 month
3 months
6 months
1 year |
|
Make special notations on the cards (or in a computer file) to help remember the family such as comments made, concerns
expressed, etc. For example, if I spoke with a widow soon after a funeral service who had no one to talk to, I would encourage her to try a support group. I would note that on my date card
so that I could refer to it when I call. The person feels that you have a great memory, or that you really must care about them! Either way, he or she feels special because you cared enough to remember.
You will always find that some people do not feel they need your services, that they are doing "just fine." Some people will
be okay with their grief: they may have good support, a strong faith, a healthy outlook on life, or all of the above. Just let them know that you will still be there for them if their situation
changes. Don't continue to call if they feel they don't need your help!Others will say the same things to you but actually may not be
handling their grief well. Again, let them know you are available to help anytime. Make sure they know how to reach you and let them decide when to call. I have had many families who initially told me they were "okay" call six months later to say they now need help. Keep the door open! My follow-up telephone calls are set up at one month, three months, six months, and one year after the funeral service.
However, I may call some families more frequently, such as those who have experienced the death of a child or had a family member die a violent or unusual death. This would be an
instinctive decision on your part. You know your families and their circumstances better than anyone else. |
