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Promoting end-of-life communication and closure
What is it about?
This article provides a preliminary handout containing strategies that speech language pathologists could provide family members of patients who have acutely encountered the end-of-life phase and have severe communication impairment (e.g., global aphasia) and reduced alertness level.
Why is it important?
Severe communication impairment during the end-of-life phase can hamper one’s ability to express feelings related to physical and emotional well-being and bid farewell to family members and friends. It could also prevent family members from seeking closure related to their loved one's impending death. This article hopes to promote conversation among medical speech-language pathologists regarding their role in facilitating end-of-life interaction between patients with severe communication impairment and their families.