A Dying Person’s Emotions/Emotional Needs Fear of pain: Fear of pain is the main concern of many people nearing end of life. Pain creates anxiety in the dying person and family members.
The Support a Volunteer Can Provide • Reassure the person that he/she can be kept comfortable with medication, massage, cleanliness, exercise (when possible) and diet. • Remind the person to report any pain to the doctor, nurse or other caregivers, and not try to be brave about it. • Reassure the person and family that the final dying is usually painless. It’s a common misperception that pain and dying are inseparable, but they rarely go together. • Listen and ask questions. • Be sensitive. Ensure that people who talk easily about their fears feel accepted. Be patient and wait for those who find it harder to express their feelings. • Avoid giving advice or forcing your views on the person. • Notice as much as possible about the person’s cultural and spiritual beliefs, and how they’ve handled difficult situations in life before. • Recognize that it is a privilege when someone shares his or her intimate stories with you. • Be deeply respectful of the person. See the other person as an equal.
Fear of death and other fears . Most people are afraid of death. People need opportunities to express their fears, anxieties and anger – although some people find it easier than others to talk about emotions. Some may want to talk about what it will be like and/or about their concept of an afterlife.
Need for acceptance, understanding, love, nurturing and intimacy. People who are nearing end of life need to feel loved, nurtured and accepted. They need opportunities to connect with other people and share their thoughts and fears, and to feel understood. Loss of independence: A dying person gradually loses the ability to function and look after him or herself, and becomes much more dependent on others. Many people
• Be aware of the person needing help with activities such as eating or drinking, and offer assistance in a way that respects the person’s
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