Searching for meaning can be a life's work

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - With South Africans once again facing the renewed onslaught of Covid-19, as the so-called third wave of infections are upon us, illness and death are a reality that many families and friends will have to deal with.

In light of this, the Caritas Care Centre, that specialises in pastoral narrative therapy, shared useful information on how to deal with suffering caused by loss and grief.

Sickness and death are huge stressors which involve family and friends. A therapist is there to support the patient and the family by helping them to find meaning during this time in their lives.

Barbara Muller from Caritas explains: "In therapy we refer to 'meaning making' or the 'sense of life'. During this time one would want to discover the meaning of the patients' life story, their purpose and preferences. When visiting a patient, make sure the person is comfortable and at ease.

"Listen not only with your ears, but also with your heart. Your role is to listen and to guide the patient with questions to discover the things that have brought meaning to their lives.

"Show honest interest and offer sincere empathy regarding their emotions and thoughts as well as their losses. Always keep in mind that the patient has sole ownership of his or her life story.

"Be mindful of communicating about the patient's childhood, upbringing and family. Also talk about the people who had an influence on their life.

"Ask the patient about the people he/she had an influence on and what these people would say about them.

"Acknowledge their abilities, skills and heritage. Use this to enrich their story in order to bring some healing," Barbara advises.

"In a piece about research conducted among prisoners, Lourens van der Post says the biggest hunger other than for food, is the hunger for meaning. It is said it is even more important than the hunger for happiness."