Final answer:
One of the most common problems faced by terminally ill patients is depression, which is part of the five stages of grief described by Kübler-Ross. Symptoms of depression can severely affect the quality of life, emphasizing the importance of mental health support and hospice care for these patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the most common problems of terminally ill patients is depression. This emotional state is a part of the well-known five stages of grief, as defined by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages may not occur in a set order, and not everyone experiences all of them. During the depression stage, individuals may show symptoms such as profound sadness, a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, sleeping and eating issues, feelings of hopelessness, and even thoughts of sui_cide. It's crucial for terminally ill patients to receive appropriate support, which can include mental health counseling and, where appropriate, antidepressant medication. Furthermore, hospice care serves a vital role in supporting patients through the end-of-life process by providing pain management, psychological support, and helping with advance directives like living wills and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders.