Quality of life in chronic diseases, the role of the family

Abstract

Introduction. Everyone, especially the sick, wants closeness and understanding. He seeks contact with his nearest and dearest, with his family. The family becomes a support for the sick person. A sick person usually expects a balanced interest and willingness to help when he or she requests it. At the same time, especially a chronically ill person needs respect, acceptance of limited physical abilities, various forms of disability often resulting from the progress of the illness, acceptance of a long stay in bed, sometimes its emotional lability.
Aim of the study. The aim of the work was to briefly discuss the importance of quality of life, with particular emphasis on the quality of life in a chronic disease, on characterising the contem-porary significance of the family and its role in the life of a chronically ill person.
Selection of materials. The search was conducted in the Scopus database for the period 2003-2019, using the terms chronic dis-ease, quality of life in chronic disease, the family, its role in the life of a chronic patient. From the literature found in the Google Scholar database, studies were selected which, in the opinion of the authors, would be most useful in the preparation of this study.
Conclusions. The family should be a sensitive observer of the patient's condition. This applies especially to sick children. Par-ents must not allow the child's confidence to be reduced. They must be a reliable partner in discussions with the sick child. They must know the child's needs and expectations skilfully. This will in many situations increase proximity and understanding.