Abstract
AbstractThe importance of family becomes magnified at times of serious illness, when people must grapple not only with the illness experience but also with facing end of life. The importance of family remains central regardless of family configuration or degree of presence. Social workers’ language and behaviors signal respect and support for diverse family variations. This chapter discusses the concept and complexity of family, family assessment, and common challenges for families in the palliative care context. The importance of attention to families’ nuanced experiences of culture, discrimination, and loss is punctuated. Information about communication and conducting interprofessional family conferences is presented. As members of interprofessional healthcare teams, social workers must articulate, model, and apply their expertise to advocate for and optimize family care experiences, recognizing their significance for bereavement.