Supporting Families Through End of Life Care
End of life care is a process that not only effects the individual that has been given a terminal diagnosis of six or less months to live, but the family members and loved ones of the patient as well. Preparing a patient to pass away takes emotional, physical, & spiritual involvement in many aspects of care. Often times when a patient is in the final stages of the dying process it's easy to focus solely on making sure the individual who is passing is receiving the comfort and care needed. It is critical for the healthcare team to remember that there are other individuals involved such as patient's family members that equally need comfort and care during this difficult time. Figure 1: Talking to Grandchildren About End of Life Care In the article, "Supporting Families at End of Life," written by the Irish Hospice Foundation, it states that "fundamental to good end of life care is the support we give to the family of the person we are caring for bef...