2.3 Explain why support for an individual’s health and wellbeing may not always relate to their terminal condition

This guide will help you answer 2.3 Explain why support for an individual’s health and wellbeing may not always relate to their terminal condition.

When working in health and social care, it is easy to focus support around a person’s main diagnosis, especially when that diagnosis is terminal. A terminal condition is one that cannot be cured and is expected to lead to the person’s death. Yet, the care and support people need goes much further than just dealing with the physical and medical effects of their main illness. Health and wellbeing are broader concepts which can include psychological, social, emotional, and practical needs that may have nothing to do with the terminal condition itself.

What Is Health and Wellbeing?

Health is not only about the absence of disease or illness. The World Health Organisation says health is a complete state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Wellbeing covers feelings of contentment, being comfortable, and able to manage life’s challenges. So, support for a person’s health and wellbeing involves more than just treatment or care linked directly to a terminal diagnosis.

Why Support May Not Relate to the Terminal Condition

Support for health and wellbeing may not always link directly to a person’s terminal diagnosis for several reasons:

• People have many needs unrelated to their illness.
• The terminal condition may not cause every problem the individual experiences.
• Other circumstances in life can affect comfort, mood, and quality of life.

Let’s look in detail at the main reasons why support might not focus on the terminal illness.

Addressing Social Needs

People are social beings. As health declines, social needs often come to the fore. Support to maintain contact with friends and family, to join in with meaningful activities, or to keep a sense of belonging often has nothing to do with the specifics of an illness.

Someone may need:

• Help to arrange visits with family.
• Support to join religious or community activities.
• Opportunities to celebrate important dates, like birthdays.

These forms of support help reduce loneliness, boost morale, and give meaning to daily life, unrelated to any symptoms or treatments.

Meeting Emotional Needs

Feelings of fear, sadness, anger, or even guilt can arise when someone faces a terminal illness. These feelings may stem from the loss of independence or from worries about loved ones after they die, not just from the illness itself. Psychological support such as counselling, access to a religious leader, or regular time for someone to talk and share fears, can have a strong impact on wellbeing.

For example:

• A person may worry about unresolved family issues.
• Someone may wish to talk about memories or share life stories.
• Support might involve helping a person come to terms with regret or unfinished business.

Emotional support makes a difference that is often unrelated to any medical or physical support relating to the terminal condition.

Supporting Everyday Living

Illness often makes everyday activities harder. The loss of ability to do things for oneself isn’t always directly caused by the main illness but by weakness, fatigue, or mood. Support workers may help with:

• Washing and dressing.
• Preparing favourite meals.
• Keeping up with hobbies.

By helping people do things they enjoy, or maintain their routines for as long as possible, workers support quality of life, not just symptom management.

Coping with Existing or New Health Issues

Many people with terminal conditions live with other long-term health problems. These are sometimes called “co-morbidities.” For example, a person may have a terminal cancer diagnosis but also be living with diabetes, arthritis, or mental health issues.

Support may have to focus on:

• Managing blood sugar.
• Help with mobility aids for arthritis.
• Medication for depression or anxiety.

These needs might not change just because a terminal diagnosis has been given. People may need ongoing support that they have relied on for years, in addition to help with the terminal illness.

Respecting Cultural and Spiritual Needs

Cultural, religious, and spiritual beliefs often shape what is most important to people at the end of life. Support for such needs might include:

• Arranging for specific religious rituals.
• Helping find time and space for prayer.
• Providing appropriate food or clothing.

Such support can greatly improve wellbeing, helping people feel respected and valued, and is often unrelated to the main medical condition.

Relieving Pain That’s Unrelated to the Terminal Illness

People who are dying may still experience pain or discomfort that doesn’t come from their terminal diagnosis. For example:

• Old injuries might cause ongoing pain.
• Dental pain or headaches could appear.
• Pressure sores might develop due to limited movement.

Managing this pain is important for comfort. Support may involve simple changes like repositioning in bed or extra mouth care, unrelated to treatment of the terminal illness.

Supporting Families and Loved Ones

Support isn’t limited to the individual facing a terminal condition. Families also experience distress, worry, and practical concerns. Workers may help loved ones by:

• Providing information and reassurance.
• Helping with practical arrangements.
• Offering emotional support and respite.

Though these actions support the person who is dying, they also focus on the needs of those around them. This support is often separate from the actual treatment of the terminal condition.

Supporting Mental Health and Capacity

Some people have separate mental health needs which require specific attention. For example:

• A person with learning difficulties may need ongoing support.
• Someone with dementia may require help communicating their needs.

Supporting these needs means using clear communication, patience, and knowledge of each person’s circumstances. Such needs could have existed long before the terminal condition and don’t disappear because a new diagnosis is given.

Preventing Harm and Promoting Safety

Risks at the end of life can arise from many sources unrelated to the main diagnosis. For example:

• A person may be at risk of falls.
• There could be issues with medication errors.
• Infection control may be needed.

Support may involve environmental changes, regular checks, or help with mobility. Preventing accidental harm and supporting safety are ongoing aspects of care.

Addressing Financial and Practical Needs

Money worries or lack of access to practical support can greatly affect wellbeing. People facing the end of their life often need:

• Advice on benefits.
• Help managing paperwork.
• Assistance in making a will or funeral plans.

These issues can cause anxiety separate from the actual illness and need sensitive but practical support.

Maintaining Dignity and Respect

Being treated with dignity is a fundamental right. This means respecting choices about personal care, privacy, and independence—even where abilities are limited. Simple acts, like asking how a person would like to be addressed, offering choices in food or clothing, or making sure privacy is respected, all provide support for health and wellbeing outside the main focus on the terminal condition.

Awareness of Change in Focus

It is important to recognise that as a terminal condition progresses, a person’s priorities may shift. What matters to them may become less about the medical symptoms and more about relationships, comfort, and control over their own life.

Support workers should be open to having ongoing conversations about what matters most, listening without judgement and adjusting support as priorities change.

Supporting Choices and Autonomy

People still want to have a say in decisions that affect their lives, even if they are very unwell. Support means giving people time and space to make choices, offering information clearly, and respecting decisions—even if other people do not agree with them.

This might involve:

• Helping a person choose what to eat or wear.
• Supporting choices about visitors or activities.
• Respecting where and how a person wants to spend their final days.

Enabling autonomy supports overall wellbeing beyond the physical impact of the terminal illness.

Promoting Engagement and Enjoyment

A sense of meaning and pleasure can come from small activities: listening to music, a hand massage, time in the garden, or sharing a favourite show. These acts are part of holistic care, enriching a person’s remaining time and supporting emotional health. They may have nothing to do with illness management but are highly valued by those receiving care.

Communication Support

Difficulties with speech or understanding can be separate issues from a terminal condition. For example, strokes or language disorders may mean a person needs extra help to communicate preferences and needs. Support might involve:

• Using pictures or technology aids.
• Allowing more time to respond.
• Involving family members in communication.

Supporting communication ensures needs are met and reduces distress.

Individual Preferences and Life Stories

Each person carries a unique life story. What matters is shaped by background, experiences, memories, and preferences. Support involves taking time to find out about these, and recognising that priorities aren’t always obvious. For example, a person may want help writing a letter, listening to favourite music, or reconnecting with old friends.

Support based on personal history makes care more meaningful and increases wellbeing, even if it is unrelated to the terminal illness.

Final Thoughts

Support for health and wellbeing is broad, complex, and highly personal. Focusing only on someone’s terminal condition, or their diagnosis, means missing many areas where a person might need help. People’s lives don’t pause for an illness, even near the end. Friends, family, beliefs, practical problems, and memories all matter.

By looking beyond the illness and recognising the full range of emotional, social, practical, and cultural needs, support workers offer care that sees the whole person—not just their disease. This improves quality of life and helps both the individual and those who care about them find meaning and comfort right up until the end. Good care listens, notices, and responds to what people value most—no matter how big or small.