Social support within the context of life-threatening illness

This paper provides an account of a small scale academically driven pilot study, which explores the subjective experience of primary carers in palliative care with a view to exploring what comprises social support. Drawing upon texts by Strauss et al (1984) and James (1989, 1992) the components of 'carework' are identified within the 'dying triad' (Gilley 1988). Trajectory shaping and management emerge as key issues and it is further suggested that 'emotional labour', characterised by 'communicating cautiously', 'biographical work' and 'coping with uncertainty', is foregrounded within the caring biography. The author also discusses the implications for client centred collaboration within community based palliative care services.