The final story: events at the bedside of dying patients as told by survivors.

Abstract

Events at the bedside of a dying patient form lasting memories for families and friends. What is said, who is there, and how care is delivered prevail when individuals are recalling the dying event. The La Crosse Advance Directive Study (LADS) (Hammes & Rooney, 1998) was conducted to examine end-of-life planning in a Midwestern community where an extensive advance directive education program exists. The results indicated that families and friends wanted to be present at death; wanted to give their loved one permission to die; and wanted to have consistent, thorough, and honest communications with their providers. Families also felt compelled to keep the promises they made to their dying loved ones. This study provides an opportunity for families and friends to tell their stories of the events at the bedside of dying patients. Their stories identify a need for more medical, nursing, patient, and family education in end-of-life care.