Quality of life at the end of live: Experiences, models and perspectives

The present paper gives an overview of theoretical concepts and empirical research on the issue of quality of life at the end of life with a focus on psychological concepts of lifelong development. Faced with severe illness, it seems that in old age the quality of life strongly depends on the individuals' potentials for developmental change. In addition, particular qualities of the spatial, social, and care context, taking the psychosocial, spiritual and practical competences and needs of the patients and their relatives into account, seem to lead to a higher degree of self determination and wellbeing. Empirical findings on the predictors of quality of life and of a "good death" are reported. Implications for an adequate care context at the end of life and research needs are discussed.