Family participation in palliative care for the elderly

Abstract

The most frequent problems faced by families with a terminal old relative are discussed. Considerations are presented on the situation of aged persons living longer due to medical advances but without quality of life. The three steps of the process of dying -fading away, neutral zone and new start- are described. Other aspects included in this article are the convenience of dying at home and the difficult. ties posed by reduced or incommunicated families in relation to care of terminal patients; finally, some principies of palliative care are emphasized, namely: respect for the ill person and for her environment, relief of pain and suffering, improvement of life quality, search of meaning for the existence and assistance to die with dignity.