Editing Terminal illness (section)

=== Caregiving ===
Terminal patients often need a [[caregiver]], who could be a [[nurse]], licensed practical nurse or a family member. Caregivers can help patients receive medications to reduce pain and control symptoms of [[nausea]] or [[vomiting]]. They can also assist the individual with daily living activities and movement. Caregivers provide assistance with food and [[Psychology|psychological]] support and ensure that the individual is comfortable.<ref name="Mitnick-2010a">{{Cite journal|last1=Mitnick|first1=Sheryl|last2=Leffler|first2=Cathy|last3=Hood|first3=Virginia L.|year=2010|title=Family Caregivers, Patients and Physicians: Ethical Guidance to Optimize Relationships/|journal=Journal of General Internal Medicine|volume=25|issue=3|pages=255–260|doi=10.1007/s11606-009-1206-3|issn=0884-8734|pmc=2839338|pmid=20063128}}</ref>

The patient's family may have questions and most caregivers can provide information to help ease the mind. Doctors generally do not provide estimates for fear of instilling false hopes or obliterate an individual's hope.<ref>University of Texas Cancer therapy and research center. [http://www.ctrc.net/ctrc_2_2.cfm?db_content=psycopingterminal "Terminal Cancer Overview"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723065603/http://www.ctrc.net/ctrc_2_2.cfm?db_content=psycopingterminal |date=23 July 2011 }} 2010-02-09.</ref>

In most cases, the caregiver works along with physicians and follows professional instructions. Caregivers may call the physician or a nurse if the individual:
* experiences excessive pain.
* is in distress or having difficulty [[breathing]].
* has difficulty passing urine or is [[constipation|constipated]].
* has fallen and appears hurt.
* is depressed and wants to harm themselves.
* refuses to take prescribed medications, raising [[Medical ethics|ethical]] concerns best addressed by a person with more extensive formal training.
* or if the caregiver does not know how to handle the situation.

Most caregivers become the patient's listeners and let the individual express fears and concerns without judgment. Caregivers reassure the patient and honor all advance directives. Caregivers respect the individual's need for privacy and usually hold all information confidential.<ref>[http://healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/hub_cancer/phyneeds.cfm Physical Needs of the Person With Terminal Cancer] University of Virginia. Retrieved on 2010-02-09</ref><ref name="Mitnick-2010b">{{Cite journal|last1=Mitnick|first1=Sheryl|last2=Leffler|first2=Cathy|last3=Hood|first3=Virginia L.|year=2010|title=Family Caregivers, Patients and Physicians: Ethical Guidance to Optimize Relationships|journal=Journal of General Internal Medicine|volume=25|issue=3|pages=255–260|doi=10.1007/s11606-009-1206-3|issn=0884-8734|pmc=2839338|pmid=20063128}}</ref>