Why Do Dying People and Their Carers Find Uncertainty Difficult and what Could Be Done to Help?

This assignment will firstly define the term uncertainty in the context of dying. It will identify the emotions which people experience when living with uncertainty and look at the reasons why dying people and their carers find this difficult. The term carers will be defined and the carers' position in context to the dying person will be discussed. Secondly this assignment will look at ways in which to minimise or prevent uncertainty within the caring field.
Uncertainty is defined as not knowing accurately (Webster English Dictionary, 1999). It is not being confident or sure of something. A person encounters uncertainty when they are diagnosed with an illness or condition, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Cancer or H.I.V. Also when a parent has a genetically passed condition, the offspring may live with uncertainty of whether or not they too are going to get the condition. The uncertainty occurs when the patient, carer or relative has little knowledge about the condition, thus creating fear.
The fear that lack of knowledge can create can affect an individuals well being. …