PA20   Views on talking about XXXX , dying and loss.

@entity1 @entity204
BACKGROUND: Societal barriers to open discussion of personal feelings and preferences relating to @entity204 may hinder planning for end of life and supporting @entity1 who are dying or bereaved. AIM: To explore views about talking about @entity204 , dying and loss. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 @entity1 ; age range 30 to 83 years. RESULTS: Making wills and communicating end of life wishes were considered very important; mostly for the sake of the family left behind. @entity1 also valued confidence to discuss other @entity1 's end of life wishes and support them appropriately if they were dying or bereaved. Many @entity1 were very comfortable talking about their own @entity204 . Identified barrier to talking about end of life wishes included not wanting to upset others; others not listening; not being about to find an appropriate moment; not knowing enough about the options available; and fear of @entity204 , especially of the unknown. Financial costs were seen as a barrier to making a will. @entity1 talked of the importance of raising awareness of what @entity204 and dying involves; what end of life options available; and the importance of communication. Information on the process of normal grieving and how to support somebody who has been bereaved were also suggested. CONCLUSION: Being able to talk about end of life wishes and know how to support @entity1 who are dying or bereaved are important to many @entity1 , and they would welcome interventions to facilitate this at a societal level.
