Issues for practitioners in supporting grandparents
Ray Murray
Grandparents and parents are likely to experience similar reactions to the diagnosis of disability. Grandparents also grieve for their own child – one of the parents. While grandparents have significant roles within the family they are also a potential source of significant support for parents. Practitioners may provide support for grandparents in a variety of ways. An important role for practitioners is to encourage parents to be aware of the emotional needs of grandparents and of the benefit of involving them in the care of the child. Such involvement has the potential for grandparents to become a significant resource for the family.
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