• Fukuji Kondo, Seiko Hasegawa, Akemi Mimuro, Harumi Nakajima, Yoshiko Toyoda, Katsunori Uchida, M W Felicia, and G Francine.
• Dept. of Urology, Kensei General Hospital.
• Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2002 Dec 1;29 Suppl 3:547-50.

PurposeTo investigate the mental and physical changes of bereaved caregivers.MethodsWe had 5 patients under residential care (1 with prostate cancer, 3 with urinary bladder cancer and 1 bedridden patient without malignant disease) and one month and one year after their death, we visited their family to provide bereavement care.ResultsBefore the patient's death, all caregivers were uneasy and confused. At the deathbed, all of them were filled with deep grief and prostration. One month later, unrest and fatigue were reduced, all had the satisfaction of having taken care of their patients. One year later, only grief persisted and prostration was deserved in one caregiver.ConclusionWe provided bereavement care to 5 caregivers. It is suggested that in some cases long-term bereavement care is necessary.

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