Just-in-case medications for end of life care

Our research as talked with health professionals and with bereaved families about these experiences  and found that this is can be a very complex process both practically and emotionally.

A summary of the research with family members can be seen here.

The key messages for practice are:

1.     Practitioners need to anticipate that family may:

• Realise for the first time that their loved one is going to die

• Think that they are dying now (this may not be true)

• Think these drugs actually end life (this is not their intention)

Anticipatory communication around these three areas is very important to avoid misunderstandings and help people with their concerns and distress.

2.     Family need more guidance about looking after a sick and dying person.  This should include offering opportunities to discuss:

• What commonly happens as a person enters the last days of life and what dying is like

• What symptoms people may have and what medications can do to help

• When and who to ask for help

3.     Explain what to do with the medications after the person has died.

• As a result of our research a patient and family information leaflet has been developed.