TY - JOUR
T1 - Awareness of Imminent Death
T2 - Results From a Mixed Methods Study of Israeli Family Caregivers’ Perceptions of Their Awareness and That of the Patients for Whom They Cared
AU - Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska
AU - Cohen, Rinat
AU - Brill, Shai
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.
PY - 2024/11
Y1 - 2024/11
N2 - We studied levels of awareness of impending death in older patients and their family caregivers. Using a mixed methods approach, we interviewed 70 family caregivers in Israel. Of the caregivers, 64% reported having been aware of the impending death, 33% were unaware, and 3% uncertain. Caregivers reported their perception that 36% of patients were aware, 27% unaware, and for 37% they were uncertain about the patient’s awareness. Mechanisms that increased caregivers’ awareness were specific diagnosis, significant deterioration in health, preparation by a health professional, or patient preparations for death. This study clarifies processes which aid awareness, and the relationship between awareness and actual preparation for dying.
AB - We studied levels of awareness of impending death in older patients and their family caregivers. Using a mixed methods approach, we interviewed 70 family caregivers in Israel. Of the caregivers, 64% reported having been aware of the impending death, 33% were unaware, and 3% uncertain. Caregivers reported their perception that 36% of patients were aware, 27% unaware, and for 37% they were uncertain about the patient’s awareness. Mechanisms that increased caregivers’ awareness were specific diagnosis, significant deterioration in health, preparation by a health professional, or patient preparations for death. This study clarifies processes which aid awareness, and the relationship between awareness and actual preparation for dying.
KW - awareness of impending death
KW - disease trajectories
KW - end of life
KW - family caregivers
KW - preparation for dying
KW - terminal illness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85132103816&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/00302228221107236
DO - 10.1177/00302228221107236
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C2 - 35695555
AN - SCOPUS:85132103816
SN - 0030-2228
VL - 90
SP - 404
EP - 419
JO - Omega: Journal of Death and Dying
JF - Omega: Journal of Death and Dying
IS - 1
ER -