Introduction. The terminal period is a time when the options for further prolonging the life of a chronically ill person with direct action on the cause of the illness have been exhausted and the patient requires care. The family then faces a range of problems, including changes in their quality of life. These problems rarely addressed in the literature on the topic prompted the authors to undertake their own study. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of family members of patients in the terminal period of cancer in the home setting. Material and methods. Sixty persons - family members and at the same time caregivers of patients in the terminal period of cancer, residing at home - were surveyed. The survey was carried out independently taking into account ethical requirements, i.e. the respondents were informed of the anonymity and purpose of the survey. The questions included in it concerned the bio-psychosocial sphere of the respondents. Results and conclusions. The quality of life of carers of terminal patients is decreasing. Deterioration in quality of life occurs especially when the provision of care falls on one person. Combining care with housekeeping and work duties, providing psychological support to the patient while experiencing the prospect of parting, creates feelings of depression and sadness. In the patient, too, this gives rise to negative emotions, e.g. irritability, anger, depression. The illness in the family affects the socio-occupational situation of the subjects. 33.3% changed life plans completely, which involved the decision to reduce working hours and to give up previous leisure activities. In respondents with a reduced quality of life, assistance should include the psychological and living spheres of the family. It would be fundamental to try to improve communication and interaction with the family and psychological counselling. Equally important is medical care, teaching carers the principles of care and knowledge of possible new disease symptoms.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Izabella- Uchmanowicz/publication/279951721_Acceptance_of_illness_and_quality_of_life_in_heart_ failure/links/55a13d9b08ae1c0e046405a4/Acceptance-of-illness-and-quality-of-life-in-heart- failure.pdf