What does intimacy mean when a life-limiting illness changes our lives?
When you hear the word intimacy, what do you think of? Sex? A romantic relationship? Emotional closeness? For Dr Kate Sugar, Senior Researcher & Evaluation Lead at Dorothy House, intimacy is about feeling connected to the people who are important to her. So what does intimacy mean when a life-limiting illness changes our lives?
Why intimacy matters at the end of life
Find out about the IN-TALK study, which stands for Intimacy in Palliative and End-of-Life Care, which will explore how hospices can better support the intimacy needs of patients and the people closest to them. The England-wide project is being led by Dorothy House, and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Valentine’s Day: Sex, intimacy and relationships at the end of life
When someone is living with a terminal illness, nearly every part of life can shift, including how they feel about their body, their sexuality, and their relationships. Studies have shown that many patients nearing the end of their lives have expressed that sex and intimacy are essential to them; however, it is often overlooked by healthcare professionals and not commonly discussed.
Lung disease and end of life: take part in research
Nurse and PhD student, Kathy Rogers, is currently exploring the experiences of caregivers (friends and family) who looked after someone who died with a respiratory disease with the University of the West of England, Bristol. In our latest blog, she tells us why she is studying this important topic and how you can get involved in her research.