PERCEPTIONS RELATED TO TIME IN A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF INFORMAL CARERSOF TERMINALLY ILL CANCER-PATIENTS

(.)Caring for a terminally ill relative is a complex, time-consuming e xperience. (.)Demands on carers' time stem from a variety of sources, notably the practical and emotional work they must perform. (.)Carers should be helped to plan their time effectively. (.)Carers need to com e to terms with their perceptions about past, present and future. (.)A chieving some sense of equilibrium in the caring role is important. (. )Professionals working with families experiencing terminal illness hav e a duty to assess each family individually in order to provide approp riate help and support.