A Study on the End-of-Life Awareness, Emotional Response, and Family Supportive Care Needs of Terminally Ill Patients

Xiong Feng

School of Nursing, Jiangsu Health Vocational College

Abstract：

With the progression of the disease, terminally ill patients gradually become aware that their illness is irreversible; they have a finite life span approaching death with feelings of anxiety, fear, grief, reluctance to leave, loneliness, calmness, and acceptance. The families are responsible for providing companionship, care, and informational support while facing communication avoidance, emotional burden, and anticipatory grief. In this article, we focus on the continuous relationship between end-of-life awareness, emotional response, and family interaction, outlining patients' needs regarding information communication, psychological support, preserving dignity, family companionship, comfort care, end-of-life preparation, and caregiver support, which provides a reference for supportive nursing care for terminally ill patients and their families.

Key Words：

terminally ill patients; end-of-life awareness; emotional responses; family support; supportive nursing care