Case Studies...
Below are our articles on the subject of Case Studies. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
Accepting Terminal Illness
A look at the process of accepting a terminal illness, for the patient as well as for friends and family members. Includes an overview of the stages of grief outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross....
Accepting the Assistance of Others
A look at the importance of a support system for terminally ill patients, providing care and comfort for the last stage of life. Also addresses the need for caregiver support....
ADRT: Living Wills
A look at the benefits of preparing a living will, or ADRT for patients and their families. Looks at the legalities involved and offers suggestions for topics to be covered....
Alleviating Children's Fears Following The Terminal Diagnosis of a Loved One
A guide for parents who must explain the death or impending death of a loved one to a child. Advises honesty while recommending that parents exercise caution to alleviate their children’s natural feel...
Applying for Financial Aid
Advice for seriously ill patients and their families who are experiencing financial hardships due to the effects of the illness....
Arranging for Help
A look at the types of help available to the terminally ill, providing them with the assistance they’ll need to improve the quality of their lives....
Battling Terminal Illness
A look at the specifics of battling terminal illness, including exploring treatment options, staying emotionally strong, and accepting the help of friends and family members....
Buying Life Insurance
A look at the two basic types of life insurance – term life and whole or universal life. Compares the two types of policies and offers advice for those considering the purchase of life insurance....
Caring for a Dying Child
Examines the processes involved in meeting the needs of terminally ill children, as well as those of their family members. Looks at home care, palliative care, and hospice care....
Caring for a Dying Parent
Advice for adults coping with the terminal illness of one of their parents. Looks at ways to manage elder care while handling children, jobs, and other relationships....
Caring for a Dying Spouse
Advice for providing end-of-life care for a dying spouse – includes information about tending to physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs....
Children's Understanding of Death
Guidelines for children’s understanding of death, categorised by typical reactions based on age. Includes guidelines for helping kids of each age to cop with the death of someone close....
Choosing Guardians for Children Following a Terminal Diagnosis
A look at the importance of choosing prospective guardians for children in the event that their parents do not live until they are of legal age. Offers tip for choosing appropriate guardians....
Complementary Therapies
A look at the potential benefits of combining traditional medical care with alternative therapies to maximize healing and symptom reduction, especially for those suffering from a serious or terminal i...
Considering Alternative Treatments When Terminally Ill
A look at the value and possible risks of alternative treatments for the terminally ill. Includes a quick overview of several popular alternative treatments....
Coping Strategies
coping with terminal illness, hiring caretakers, home medical equipment, adjustable beds, lift chairs, bathroom safety products, commodes...
Dealing with Conflict within the Family
A guide for families who are experiencing conflicts amongst themselves while dealing with the terminal illness of a family member....
Dealing with Stress and Anxiety
Advice for caregivers for managing their stress and anxiety as they provide care for terminally ill loved ones. Includes tips for natural stress relief as well as advice on when to seek help....
Doing Battle with Insurance Companies
A look at the procedure of getting insurance companies to pay out if they’ve denied claims that policyholders felt should cave been covered. Includes an overview of standard medical insurance policies...
Drug and Treatment Trials
An overview of the procedures involved in participating in drug and treatment trials; includes information regarding regulation of clinical research and types of testing....
End of Life Care from a Professional Provider: A Case Study
A hospice nurse offers advice for terminally ill patients and their loved ones for making the most of someone’s last days....
Equipment for the Home
Information about home health care equipment for terminally ill patients, the use of which may help them to remain in their homes for the remainder of their lives....
Euthanasia
An overview of euthanasia and doctor assisted suicide, including the distinction between the two as well as arguments both for and against their legalisation....
Explaining Death to Children
A guide for parents about explaining death to children. Includes information for various ages of kids, as well as stressing the importance of providing straightforward honest information....
Exploring Treatment Options When Terminally Ill
A look at the importance of exploring available treatment options when faced with serious or terminal illness. Includes recommendations for considering both conventional and alternative treatments....
Expressing Difficult Emotions
A look at the importance of expressing emotions, even those which are hard to share, for terminally ill patients and those closest to them....
Faith and Death
An examination of the role that faith can play for those who are dealing with their own terminal illness or the illness and/or death of a loved one....
Feeling all Alone After a Terminal Diagnosis: A Case Study
A terminally ill patient shares her wish that her dearest friends, who have shied away from her now that she is dying, would return....
Finding Doctors Who Share Your Beliefs
A look at the importance of the doctor/patient relationship, and why it is vital for terminally ill patients to seek out doctors who respect their preferences....
Funeral Directors Explained
A guide to the services that are provided by funeral directors, with a short description of some of the more popular choices....
Funeral Options
Information regarding funeral options, including traditional services, cremation, and woodland burials. Touches on legal issues and the need for survivors to allow themselves to grieve....
Getting Travel Insurance With Terminal Cancer?
Although a terminal illness may make finding travel insurance a little difficult, provided you adhere to the strict policy application guidelines you should be able to secure suitable insurance covera...
Granting Last Wishes of the Terminally Ill
Ideas for people who hope to help grant the last wishes of a terminally ill friend or family member; includes information for locating large organisations that specialise in just such requests....
Grief Support Groups
A look at the value of grief support groups, both online and in real life. Includes tips for locating a group as well as cautions for internet interaction with strangers....
Hands-On Help
A look at the value of hands-on help for terminally ill patients and their families. Includes tips for getting and staying organised....
Helping a Friend or Loved One to Grieve
Advice for helping a friend through the grieving process after a significant loss. Helps to distinguish normal grieving from that which might need attention by a mental health professional....
Helping Children to Grieve
A guide to grieving in children to help parents and other carers to make the process as painless as possible. Includes a age-based guide of children’s capacities to understand death....
Helping Kids with a Terminally Ill Sibling
Advice for parents of a terminally ill child in helping their other children to cope with the illness and death of their brother or sister....
Holding on to Hope
A guide for terminally ill patients who wish to hold on to the hope that they will beat the odds and live healthy lives. Offers suggestions for seeking the support of friends and family members....
Holistic Medicine
A look at the principles of holistic health and medicine, especially as its practice applies to the terminally ill....
Hospice Care
A look at hospice care – its philosophy and how it works. Looks at hospice services, care team members, and overall goals of hospice care for terminally ill patients and their families....
Illness and Death
A look at the process of informing children, family members, friends, and employers about the illness and impending death of a terminally ill patient....
Juggling Responsibilities
Advice for busy caregivers who are juggling their responsibilities in order to care for a terminally ill loved one, including tips for establishing priorities, asking for help, and managing stress....
Keeping Life as Normal as Possible
Explores the need for some terminally ill patients to maintain their daily lives in as close to normal manner as possible. Encourages patients and those who love them to maximize the time that they ha...
Keeping Memories Alive
Ideas for keeping the memory of a departed loved one alive; includes tips for terminally ill patients who wish to create mementos for their survivors....
Letting Employers Know about Your Illness
Advice for terminally ill patients about how to break the news of their illness to their employer, as well as thoughts on how illness can impact other employees and workplace productivity....
Maintaining a Patient's Dignity
Advice for friends and family members of terminally ill patients regarding the importance of maintaining the patient’s dignity throughout their illness....
Making Memory Books/Tapes/Videos
Information about creating personal memorabilia for survivors. Offers ideas for terminally ill patients who hope to help their friends and loved ones to remember them....
Making Room for Healing
Advice for those who have lost a friend or family member and are seeking ways to heal. Includes a number of suggestions, and stresses the fact that grieving is a personal process that takes time....
Making the Most of Every Day
Offers recommendations for terminally ill people to prioritise their lives in such a way as to put having fun and expressing emotion at the top of their to-do lists....
Making Time for Yourself
Provides advice for caregivers on making time to care for themselves, as well as for their terminally ill loved one....
Memorials and Tributes
Advice for choosing ways to memorialise loved one, including special services, online tributes, scholarships, and charitable donations....
Offering a Willing Ear
Advice for those who wish to offer comfort to a terminally ill loved one or someone who is grieving for the loss of someone close to them....
Online Support For Terminally Ill Patients
Examines the various types of online support groups for the terminally ill, as well as for those to love them....
Pain Management
Information regarding pain management options for terminally ill patients and those who care for them; includes advice for locating medical professionals who are sensitive to the wishes of patients....
Preparing for Difficult News
A look at the importance of preparing oneself for a difficult diagnosis. Includes tips for patients who are anticipating difficult news....
Preparing Keepsakes for Loved Ones : A Case Study
A grown daughter remembers her mother, helped by the letters that her mum wrote to her during her illness....
Regret After a Loved One's Death: A Case Study
A son shares what he has learned about the importance of healing family rifts and making amends while there is still time....
Resolving Unfinished Business Before Your Die
Advice for the terminally ill about resolving unfinished business, including personal and legal matters. Encourages the writing of ADRTs, living wills, and traditional wills....
Respecting a Patient's Wishes
Advice for caretakers and loved ones of terminally ill patients regarding the need to respect the wishes of the dying regarding care, lifestyle, and ultimately, dying....
Respite Care
A look at respite care – what it is and how it can benefit families who are caring for a terminally ill member....
Seeking a Second Opinion Following a Terminal Illness Diagnosis
A look at the importance of seeking a second opinion, especially when faced with a terminal illness. Offers suggestions for seeking the best possible medical care....
Seeking Training to Manage Care
A look at the many responsibilities that caregivers take on when they agree to provide hands-on care for a terminally ill friend or relative; includes advice for getting training in order to provide t...
Setting Up a Network of Helpers
Ideas for family members of a terminally ill patient in organising a network of qualified helpers to manage day to day caretaking....
Spiritual Issues for the Terminally Ill
A look at spirituality as it relates to the terminally ill. Includes information for members of organised religions as well as those who are not associated with any church....
Support Groups for Family Members
A look at the availability and potential benefits of illness and support groups for family members of terminally ill patients....
Support Groups for the Terminally Ill
An overview of support groups for terminally ill patients – from locating a local or internet group to discussing the benefits of support groups for those who are dying....
Telling Children that a Parent is Ill
Advice for telling children that one of their parents is terminally ill. Includes specifics for different ages, as well as recommendations for helping kids to grieve....
Telling Children that they are Terminally Ill
A guide for parents who must tell their terminally ill children about their diagnosis. Recommends gentle honesty teamed with an effort to create an environment of trust and openness....
The First Year after a Death
Advice for handling the first year after a significant death; includes specific tips to help the bereaved deal with their loss....
The Importance of Allowing the Grieving Process Following a Loss
Looks at the natural process of grieving as well as offering tips on helping the grieving to heal. Encourages healthy habits and allowing for emotional expression....
Thinking About Organ Donation
Information about organ donation and signing up to become an organ donor by registering with the NHS Organ Donor Register....
Understanding the Grieving Process
An overview of the grieving process, both for those who are terminally ill and those who are coping with the loss of a loved one. Includes advice for coping with grief in order to find peace and accep...
Understanding Treatments For Your Terminal Illness
Advice for terminally ill patients who are deciding how to proceed with treatment. Stresses the need to get accurate information, full explanations from medical personnel, and support from loved ones....
Understanding Your Insurance
An overview of several popular types of medical insurance, including their typical coverages. Includes information on private medical insurance, as well as long term care policies and health cash plan...
Using Complementary Therapies as a Care Option for Terminal Illness
A look at complementary medicine, including a quick description of some commonly utilised therapies. Also differentiates complementary from alternative medicines....
What to do When Your Child Has Terminal Illness
A look at the grieving process for parents who have lost a child to illness or accident. Includes a look at the healing process and advice for seeking professional help for ongoing depression....
When a Child is Terminally Ill
Advice for parents of terminally ill children regarding keeping their child informed, listening to the child’s preferences, handling siblings, and fulfilling last wishes....
When a Friend is Terminally Ill
Friends can experience the same feelings of loss as family members when terminal illness strikes; offers advice for coping when a friend is terminally ill....
When a Parent is Terminally Ill
A look at the complex emotions associated with learning that a parent is terminally ill. Includes information for both minor children as well as those who have reached adulthood....
When a Spouse is Terminally Ill
An overview of the effect that a terminal diagnosis can have on a marriage, as well as a look at the role that the healthy spouse plays in helping their partner to find peace and acceptance....
Will My Mother be Responsible for My Father's Debts?
Advice for the son of a terminally ill man as he strives to help his parents sort out their finances before his father’s passing....
Writing a Will
A look at the specifics of writing a will, including a list of considerations that must be taken while protecting assets....