Abstract ♦ Discussing death and dying is often a challenging topic. In our survey, we investigated the facilitators and barriers perceived by healthcare professionals working with patients with palliative care needs in family communication and communicating about end-of-life care between healthcare professionals, patients, and relatives. According to the respondents, the main barriers to family discussions include feelings of helplessness and fears among relatives. The main facilitators are openness within the family, the patient's clearly expressed wishes, and a willingness to discuss end-of-life issues. Regarding the discussions between healthcare professionals with patients and relatives, relatives often struggle to accept advanced illness stages and short prognoses, which are significant barriers. Additionally, patients frequently do not recognise the severity of their illness or the poor prognosis. Strong relationships between patients and healthcare professionals and access to psychological support are crucial facilitating factors. End-of-life discussions involve multiple parties in a communication process. Multidisciplinary teamwork in these discussions has a positive impact when healthcare professionals are well-prepared. It is essential to support patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals in facilitating the discussions they deem important, particularly in managing emotional reactions. Involving relatives in end-of-life communication is also perceived as beneficial for handling similar situations in the future.

Abstract ♦ The losses associated with cancer not only mean the loss of physical health, but also cause profound changes in self-identity, quality of life and social relationships. Anticipatory grief is a specific grieving process that precedes the occurrence of death, which also appears among oncology patients, their relatives and the medical professionals who care for them. According to the literature, anticipatory grieving can help in adapting to the loss; however, research findings vary on whether it truly eases the grieving process or, in some cases, makes it even more difficult. The study aims to explore the concept of anticipatory grief through the loss experiences of oncology patients and their family members. It also attempts to draw attention to certain aspects of disease-related losses, which can benefit healthcare professionals, improving patient care and preserving their mental well-being.

Abstract ♦ In my article, I report the results of an online questionnaire survey of 240 people, which I conducted in 2024 on social media platforms, without any restrictions on the identity of the respondents. The questionnaire assessed the respondents' attitudes towards death and grief, their knowledge of hospice care and end-of-life planning, and their opinions on end-of-life decisions. Based on the results, half of the respondents have relevant knowledge regarding hospice care. A small proportion of the respondents are informed about end-of-life planning, which also draws attention to the importance of efforts to disseminate knowledge on the topic. Based on the responses regarding end-of-life decisions, it became clear that there is a very strong need to change the nature of doctor-patient communication.

Abstract ♦ Environmental psychology has become an independent field of research in psychology, which examines how the environment affects the emotions, thoughts, and behavior of individuals. The issue of elderly disfellowshipping also fits into this row. Elderly disposal refers to a method that helps prepare for the final departure by getting rid of unnecessary objects, by physically organizing. As part of end-of-life planning, it provides an opportunity for the elderly or dying person, by their own decision and/or joint decision with their relatives, to put the objects that are important and dear to them in the right place during their lifetime or to say goodbye to everything that has become superfluous over the years. A continuous farewell, deciding the fate of each object, can bring one closer to accepting the passing in the soul. In the 21st century, the fate of online footprints has also become a critical issue. It's good to have a decision on this in time And relatives can be sure that certain items were given to them or to others because the person about to end his or her life wanted them that way. And after the death of a loved one, they don't have to get rid of a lot of things that are useless to them, which makes it harder for them to deal with the emotional side of the loss.