ABSTRACT
The realization that a loved one is dying results in a major change for the entire family. This demands that family members adjust not only outwardly, but also inwardly where they keep connections to the people and places that act as definitions of self. Families need to redefine their life situation. Redefining involves a shift in terms of what used to be and what is and leads to an adjustment in how individuals view themselves and each other, as well as how they define the family unit. The family accommodates to changes in the patient’s status through redefining and copes with the losses and gains incurred. This process goes on throughout the transition of fading away with no clear ending, and is the basis for the other components of the fading away process. When patients cannot redefine themselves, they experience a sense of anger, worthlessness and frustration with the altered situation.
