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Conner Thomson
Mrs. Caruso
UWRT 1103
28 July 2015
Why People Turn to Comfort at the End of Life
It is the question that so many people face at the end of a lifetime. What do I do
now?The end of life stages are simply just never that easy. These times leave patients
wondering what comes next. To answer that question would be extremely difficult, but
there are common routes that terminally ill patients seek in order to fulfill a lifetime.
These times are filled with emotional turmoil, but these extraordinary people find
comfort in concepts such as family, afterlife, and quality medical care. These ideas may
not heal the disease, but they suffice in numbing the pain. It is the willingness of the
patient to make the best of the situation that in the end propels him or her to be ready for
death.
It is human nature to confide in meaningful things when death is on the horizon. It
is not just assumed but it is certain that people are simply more apt to do so. Perhaps the
most significant influence at the end of life is family. There is no stronger bond than with
family. It is a group that is united by blood and love. A patient is highly comforted by
family because it is what the majority of people treasure the most. In an article written by
Amy Haddad, she says, There is something comforting about the presence of those who
have shared our lives, particularly in times of serious illness (Haddad). As I pondered on
what to do for my genre product, I could not help but think about my grandfather who
battled with terminal disease of congestive heart failure. When I decided to write a diary

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and began to write his diary entries, the first main thing I focused on was family. The
way my family came together during such a difficult time opened my eyes as to how
much this factor plays a part at the end of life. Not only did it play a role during his last
weeks but it also to this day is common. The whole family is always with my grandma.
The death of my grandfather only made this family stronger. Family is and always will be
the group that people find comfort in. The people that we spend the most time with
growing up are likely the ones that we are most comfortable around. It is only normal to
trust in them and feel the urge to be with them in the face of desolation. During such a
difficult time, there is no doubt that family needs to play a large role. Terminally ill
people cannot work through a disease alone. The family is there for support and advice.
Later in the article, Haddad states, There is something comforting about the presence of
those who have shared our lives, particularly in times of serious illness (Haddad). For
the majority of society, it is nothing but common to feel the most comfortable in the
presence of loved ones.
Despite the many benefits of family support, the situation can still get a little
muddy when the wishes of the patient are not the same as those of the family.there is
always some confusion when the wishes of the patient are not the same as those of
family. Often times it is too much for the patient when the quality of life is at a minimum.
The family does not understand, mainly because they do not have to live this way. When
in this situation, it is important to remember that the patient has a right to be selfgoverned. Only the patient truly knows what he or she is feeling. The family must
understand when to let go and when to hold on.

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In addition to family, the other aspect that provides comfort to patients is the
possibility of an afterlife. Whether or not a person is religious, most share the belief that
the spirit goes elsewhere after death. In a study done by Pam McGrath, she interviewed
and observed fourteen terminally ill patients some religious, others not. The interesting
aspect of the situation dealt with the belief in afterlife. Regardless of patients religious
beliefs, they still stated that the afterlife is legitimate. In regards to afterlife, McGrath
said, In particular, the thought that there is an afterlife provides a comforting belief that
protects against the fear of death (McGrath). The majority of the patients were
nonreligious: eleven out of fourteen, to be exact. If they were not religious, then
spirituality was a belief. These people believed that the spirit does not simply just die.
Rather, they all believed that it goes somewhere once time on Earth is over. The thought
of afterlife can be trivial in that nobody really knows what happens. To know, there has to
be experience. That is what makes this topic so unique. There is only faith instead of
facts.
Perhaps the last piece of the puzzle to provide comfort to a patient is superior
medical care. Rare is the situation when there isnt pain at the end of life. People either
have cancer, failing organs, or other diseases that inflict pain. If the medical staff is
skilled, then it is a much smoother process. For example, knowing when to administer the
right medication as well as the correct amount is key. A large problem with end of life
care is when the patient is so drugged that he or she cannot even have a conversation with
family. It is important to the patient and family to find a happy medium. As my
grandfather neared the end of his life, he was defeated. There was no longer any physical
or mental fight left in him. My diary helped convey that there is a time and place where it

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is all right to let go. His quality of life was poor, but it helped knowing that he was with it
in respect to mental awareness. It made his last few days with us forever special and
through watching this process, it allowed me to forever have a place for him in my heart.
The final stages of life are never easy. It is filled with changes, emotion, and loss.
In the midst of all troubles, these patients live comfortably thanks to family, afterlife, and
great medical care. Without these changes, it would make the process of dying much
more difficult than it already is.additions, the process of dying would be, in a way,
unbearable. Death is not eternal. It is merely just another part of life.

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Works Cited
Haddad, Amy. "Ethics in Action: End-of-life Decisions: The Family's Role." Modern
Medicine. N.p., 1 Jan. 2004. Web. 28 July 2015.
McGrath, Pam. "RELIGIOSITY AND THE CHALLENGE OF TERMINAL ILLNESS."
Death Studies. N.p., 2 Feb. 2011. Web. 28 July 2015.