PROBLEMS OF FAMILIES WITH TERMINALLY ILL

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a growing public interest in palliative care. This is dictated by the ever increasing number of people who need it. With advances in medical science and the development of new technologies, life expectancy has increased, but at the same time, the number of years spent in illness and suffering has increased. Still, death is not defeated, but pain and suffering can be relieved, and the quality of life of the terminally ill and their families can be improved. Palliative care is overwhelming. They target the patient and his family. They meet the psychic, social, spiritual and cultural needs of the patient, provide training and support to relatives. The family is a social institution that ensures the biological and social continuity of the human race. There is a correlation between it and health. Today it is impossible to function and develop properly without providing optimal health to its members. Diseases of a family member adversely affect his or her functions. Reproductive, economic and psycho-emotional function is impaired. A home is a place where one lives fully and most people prefer their care to be done at home. The needs of patients in need of palliative care are specific. Apart from a health problem, they also have spiritual, social and mental needs. The most frequent care of these patients is taken by a relative or a family member. In most cases, they lack the necessary skills, resources and time. This clearly shows that the quality of life of these patients and their families is not guaranteed. The purpose of this study is to find out what influence has the care of terminally ill on his family. The subject of the study is 602 persons, close to terminally ill in 30 medical institutions in the country. Within a six-month period from 01.11.2017 to 30.04.2018. With the help of a direct individual survey, how the care of the terminally ill is reflected in his family was identified. Statistical methods for data processing and analysis were used. Results: The family is experiencing great stress when there is a severely sick patient in it. The lifestyle of the whole family is changing. Negative emotions accumulate and social contacts are disturbed. Economic and social difficulties, lack of time and lack of knowledge and skills are major problems in families with patients in need of palliative care. Respondents want to participate in training for the care of the sick, need professional help and support to ensure a better quality of life for their close and normal family functioning.