How can I support the emotional and psychological needs of patients and their families during end-of-life care?

Healthcare professionals can support the emotional and psychological needs of patients and their families during end-of-life care by offering access to suitably qualified spiritual caregivers and local community resources for spiritual care, ensuring holistic support that includes psychological, social, and emotional aspects ¹.

They should assess the social needs at key points during the illness, including emotional support, help with personal care, practical aids, and advice on benefits, providing informed professional assistance to both patients and their carers ¹.

Listening to the patient's experience, discussing their questions, affirming their humanity, and protecting their self-worth, dignity, and identity are essential components of holistic care ¹.

Offering family members and carers the opportunity for their needs to be assessed separately, addressing concerns such as fear of death, anxiety about emergencies, and feelings of inadequacy, helps support their emotional wellbeing ¹.

Involving family members and carers in clinical encounters and decisions, where appropriate, and ensuring they are aware of local support services, can help reduce their emotional burden ¹.

Providing opportunities for carers to discuss their fears, concerns, and emotional strain, and offering information about support groups and counselling, can significantly support their psychological health ¹.

Offering continuity of care with the same professional staff, and involving multidisciplinary teams with access to spiritual care, helps build trusting relationships and provides consistent emotional support ¹.