Awareness of Imminent Death: Results From a Mixed Methods Study of Israeli Family Caregivers’ Perceptions of Their Awareness and That of the Patients for Whom They Cared

We studied levels of awareness of impending death in older patients and their family caregivers. Using a mixed methods approach, we interviewed 70 family caregivers in Israel. Of the caregivers, 64% reported having been aware of the impending death, 33% were unaware, and 3% uncertain. Caregivers rep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Omega: Journal of Death and Dying 2024-11, Vol.90 (1), p.404-419
Main Authors: Cohen-Mansfield, Jiska, Cohen, Rinat, Brill, Shai
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attitude to Death
Awareness
Caregivers
Caregivers - psychology
Death & dying
Deterioration
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Impending
Israel
Male
Medical diagnosis
Medical personnel
Middle Aged
Mixed methods research
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Summary:We studied levels of awareness of impending death in older patients and their family caregivers. Using a mixed methods approach, we interviewed 70 family caregivers in Israel. Of the caregivers, 64% reported having been aware of the impending death, 33% were unaware, and 3% uncertain. Caregivers reported their perception that 36% of patients were aware, 27% unaware, and for 37% they were uncertain about the patient’s awareness. Mechanisms that increased caregivers’ awareness were specific diagnosis, significant deterioration in health, preparation by a health professional, or patient preparations for death. This study clarifies processes which aid awareness, and the relationship between awareness and actual preparation for dying.
ISSN:0030-2228
1541-3764
1541-3764
DOI:10.1177/00302228221107236