“Till death us do part”: Issues of fidelity in end of life care

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Abstract

This paper was born of the experience of caring for a loved one at the end of life. The sense of being torn between accepting one’s lot and wishing for something “other” is at the heart of the concept described as “intimate fidelity.” Intimate fidelity is discussed as part of a multi-layered concept of fidelity, embracing aspects of the professional caring relationship, and which builds into a value that shapes the fabric of the community. Academic literature fails to address this understanding of fidelity, so with some creativity, we turned to popular literature–novels and biographies– to find rich understandings of the concept of fidelity. Then following a traditional system of thematic analysis, three aspects of the concept of fidelity are presented, in the context of caring for loved ones, professional caring, and caring in the community. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <[email protected]> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAging, Spirituality and Palliative Care
EditorsElizabeth MacKinlay
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
PublisherHaworth Press
Pages227-245
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)9781136803192
ISBN (Print)0789033410, 9780789033413
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2006

Keywords

  • Caring
  • Community
  • End of life
  • Fidelity

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