End of Life Psycho-Social and Spiritual Problems of Patients

In developed as well as developing countries, millions of people with life limiting illnesses are living and dying slowly in unrelieved pain, with uncontrolled and unresolved physical, psycho-social, and spiritual problems. There are real problems in meeting the health care needs of such a large population, particularly, the poor in rural areas. Moreover, the existing heath care facilities are more attuned to caring for acute health problems and they play only a limited role in the care of the chronically ill in the society.

The current study has been undertaken to know the End of Life psycho-social and spiritual problems of patients in Chottanikkara Panchayat, Kerala before one year to last two weeks before their death.

The analysis was made based on the perceptions of the family members of the deceased patients. A sample of 50 deceased patients in Chottanikkara Panchayat who did not avail pain and palliative services (whose death took place in the year 2015) was selected by adopting convenience sampling method for study. Analysis was done via statistical software 16.0. using statistical tool, viz. percentage and Freidman test.

Only a few could stay in job, could fulfil their prior role in the family or society, were active, could keep up friendship during the last two weeks before their death. Most of the patients did not face the problem of “lack of social safety” before one year to last two weeks before their death. During the period before 6 months to last 2 weeks before their death, most of them did not face the problem “no relatives available for help”. Most of the patients never faced the problem “Loss of social roles” before one year to 6 months before their death. Most of the patients never faced the problem “social isolation” even during the last 2 weeks before their death. Only a few patients always faced financial difficulties before one year to last two weeks before their death. Most of the patients did not face the problem of neglect even during the last two weeks of their death. Most of the patients did not change their faith and beliefs even before 1.5 months before their death. Most of the patients had the problem of sadness, depression, denial, anxiety, anger and fear during the last two weeks before their death.

Most of the patients did not face the problem of Neglect even during the last two weeks before their death. Most of the patients did not change their faith and beliefs even before 1.5 months before their death. Most of the patients had the problem of sadness, depression, denial, anxiety, anger and fear during the last two weeks before their death.