Final Conversations

The term final conversations originated with Maureen Keeley's research exploring communication at the end of life within close relationships. Final conversations (FCs) include all communication (verbal and nonverbal) that occurs between loved ones from the diagnosis of a terminal illness to the moment of death. It can be one conversation or a series of conversations between the individual who is dying and his or her loved ones. Communication at the end of life is of growing importance in health communication because advances in medical diagnosis and prognosis have given individuals more advanced warning as to the end of their lives. Family and friends play an important role in caregiving and social support during the final months in the life of the dying person, and therefore ...