A 67-year-old woman with inoperable pancreatic cancer used to be very active in her community. What common end-of-life psychological manifestation is she most likely exhibiting?

• A. A Peacefulness
• B. B Decreased socialization
• C. C Decreased decision-making
• D. D Anxiety about unfinished business

Answer: (B)

A common shift as life draws to a close is withdrawal from social interaction. When someone who has been very active in the community nears death, energy stores dwindle and there’s a natural turn inward, leading to decreased socialization. This change from their usual activity level is a typical end-of-life psychosocial response, as the person prioritizes rest, reflection, and processing of impending death. While feelings like anxiety about unfinished business or moments of peacefulness can occur, the pattern described fits best with pulling back from social engagements. Decreased decision-making isn’t the primary psychosocial change here, and isn’t as characteristic given the scenario.