When someone is seriously ill, there are many difficult decisions to be made and difficult situations to be dealt with. However good people are at communicating, it can be hard to talk about certain things. This will be different for each person, and may relate to feelings and emotions, to finances, care directions or to worries about family and friends.
Sometimes people make choices that others may not agree with. This can be difficult to talk about. Examples could be in making end-of-life decisions, or making arrangements such as wills and funerals.
Often it is easier to avoid talking about death and dying or things that are worrying. Some people worry that certain issues will be too upsetting and will avoid raising them. Sometimes it can be a relief when someone raises these sensitive topics. It may be helpful to be the one who initiates these conversations.
Resources
- The Cancer Council of Australia has a website with information on talking about dying.
- The National Hospice Foundation has produced a booklet for consumers called Communicating End of Life Wishes that has some helpful ideas on how to start conversations.
- The UK website healthtalkonline has a section on living with dying with interviews with people who are dying talking about their different feelings and experiences.
Related CareSearch pages
Would it help to talk to someone?
Patients' need for information
Family carer need for information
Communication tips
Family communication
Talking with children
Communicating with health professionals
I don’t know what to say
This page was created on 26 May 2009 and is due for review in May 2011*