What Makes a Positive Dying Experience?
From a consumer and family member point of view, research indicates that having a high-quality, end of life experience can occur if care:
- Ensures desired levels of physical and emotional support
- Promotes shared decision-making
- Treats the dying person with respect
- Provides information and emotional support to family members
- Is coordinated across care settings
- Manages symptoms and side effects, especially pain
A dying person will likely have a more positive end of life experience if they are able to achieve several of the following:
- Face fears about dying
- Have choices about dying
- Make amends
- Control pain and symptoms
- Have wishes respected
- Honor spiritual and non-spiritual preferences
- Preserve autonomy and control
- Minimize stress for loved ones
- Preserve dignity
- Maintain hope
- Accept help
- Ensure family support
- Remain in the moment
- Obtain closure
- Create positive days
- Tell their life story
- Put legal affairs in order
- Resolve differences with family and friends
- Avoid prolonged suffering
- Use remaining time wisely
- Communicate openly
- Live fully until death
- Die with tranquility
- Have continuing support of health care team
- Reconcile religious/spiritual issues
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Source: “Understanding End of LifeCourse”, National Association of Social Workers © 2004
