Families who have a child with a chronic illness face losses in their lives and react in a variety of ways. The theory of constuctivism is used to examine these losses. The ongoing nature of these losses can lead to ongoing grief rather than acceptance. This is discussed within the themes of time-limited grief and chronic sorrow. The role of children’s community nurses in assisting families with resolving this sorrow is discussed, the mainsuggestions being the provision of an empathetic presence, time and the provision of accurate and specific information regarding the illness and the ways of managing it within the family’s life.
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