The world gone through drastic changes in so many ways since COVID-19 pandemic. In a very short period of time, we have all been forced to adapt to new ways of living, dyeing and grieving. These unprecedented challenges to various aspects of life influenced the ways social support, family caregiving, and health professional care are provided to individuals at the end of life.

We all remember how isolation feels like. With all the restrictions on social gatherings along with the cautiousness of avoiding getting or spreading COVID, social support was a luxury when many of us needed it the most. In a modern world where the use of technology comes a lot easier to the younger generations, relying on video calls and online support groups wasn't that easy for the elderly population or those who simply don't have access to technology, leaving these individuals alone to deal with the unknown.

In November 2021, an article called "COVID-19 pandemic: end-of-life experience in Australian residential aged care facilities" was published on The Internal Medicine Journal. The article's goal is to identify areas of concern and areas for improvement in end-of-life experiences for residents who die in RACF (Residential Age Care Facility) during the COVID-19 pandemic. What called my attention in this study was the physical and mental health disorders associated with traumatic griefs for residents and family members, as family caregiving became more challenging due to the pandemic. It was the risk of infection that made it necessary to restrict family members from visiting their loved ones in hospitals or care facilities, which as we all know resulted in feelings of isolation and loneliness for both the patient and the family caregiver. The images of people trying to see their parents and grandparents through the glass of a window, holding messages of affection and support in an attempt to feel close and connected, will forever be in my mind.

The pandemic has definitely changed the way end-of-life care is provided. The impact of all the changes hospitals and care facilities had to implement, lead to many people dying alone. Health professionals have had to learn not only how to deal with the crises of controlling the spread of the infection, but also how to provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and families, having to rely heavily on technology to facilitate communication. One important implement now seeing as necessary is advancement in care planning, which can help ensure that a patient's wishes are respected in the event of a sudden decline in health.

The study was based in interviews carried over the phone with family members not necessarily offering emotional support, but as a way of communication. What is very interesting to me is to observe the different reactions and levels of grieving expressed by the people interviewed, such as anger, loss of trust, denial. The frustration and powerlessness feelings among the non-English speaker patients who heavily relied on family members help in communication. These are just a few examples of the many challenges health care facilities, residents/patients and family members had to face and are still facing. It is comforting however to know that through these experiences improvement is being made and hopefully we will be better prepared for future crises.