5 Approaching death
One of the aims of end-of-life care is that the person has a good death. If possible, what constitutes a good death is decided by the person who is dying. You will now follow the case study about Frank and Grace. This case study has been divided into separate activities so that you can follow them as they prepare for Frank’s death. In the first part you learn more about difficult conversations.
Activity 5
Part 1
Read an excerpt that has been adapted from Finding the Words from the National End of Life Care Programme (Department of Health, 2011). It is about the worries that people and carers might have at the end of their life.
Key worries that people and carers might have at the end of life
Relationships
Am I still needed as a partner/parent/son/daughter or friend?
Existential/spiritual
Why me?
Why now?
What have I done to deserve this?
Physical/symptoms
Will I be in pain or experience any other physical symptoms such as incontinence, weight loss?
Will I lose control of my bodily functions?
Psychological
Will it change how people view me?
Will I be an outcast/avoided?
Should I tell people? How?
Will I lose control of my mind?
Do I really believe I am going to die?
Treatment
Will it cause any unpleasant side effects?
Will it prolong my life?
Will I be able to cope?
Practical
What financial arrangements do I need?
Who will look after the children/pets/parents/relatives?
Social/support
Who will look after me?
What extra help is there?
Dying
How long?
How ill will I become?
What will it be like?
4.1 Holistic common assessment