Couples in palliative care

The diagnosis of a life-threatening illness such as cancer brings huge losses, both actual and potential, not only for the individual but also for the partner and family. When one person is seriously ill, the dynamics within a couple are altered. Adjustment is required as they negotiate the range of challenges that progressive illness brings. How people express themselves in close relationships is socially and culturally determined. However, it is generally accepted that human beings need to communicate and receive love and that this is done in a variety of ways. As they approach death, people's need for physical closeness, to touch and be touched, may be much more significant in terms of quality of life. Body image and bodily functions may be drastically altered for the patient with advanced disease. It is essential to regard sexuality and intimacy as fundamental, integral aspects of palliative care.