Social Work Speaks Abstracts

End-of-Life Care

Decisions regarding end-of-life care should be considered numerous times during a person’s life, not just at the diagnosis of a terminal illness or in an acute, life-threatening event. End-of-life decisions encompass a broad range of medical, spiritual, and psychosocial determinations that each individual should make before the end of her or his life. End-of-life issues are recognized as complex because they reflect the varied value systems of different populations. NASW does not take a position concerning the morality of end-of-life decisions, but affirms the right of any individual to direct his or her care wishes at the end of life. Social workers often work with clients who express a desire to talk about their thoughts and feelings about dying and death. Social workers play an important role in assessing statements made by clients expressing their desire to die and in providing appropriate knowledge, compassion, and skill; they also can intervene with medical professionals to ameliorate pain and suffering. Social workers can explore and assess all of these issues with clients and can educate and direct them to appropriate resources such as pain management, palliative care, or hospice care.