Whether it's taking a trip to Disneyland or sharing a meal with a loved one, fulfilling a "bucket list" wish near the end of life offers more than fleeting joy. A new study from The University of Texas at Arlington finds it can also improve well-being, strengthen family bonds and bring a sense of peace.
"In end-of-life and hospice care, we usually think about person-centered care in terms of treatment preferences and outcomes," said Swasati Handique, a doctoral candidate at UT Arlington's School of Social Work and coauthor of the study published in Palliative & Supportive Care. "But we frequently overlook the personal milestones or goals individuals may wish to achieve before they die."
Handique, along with social work Professor Scott Ryan and Adjunct Professor Michael Bennett, conducted a scoping review of more than 2,200 articles on end-of-life care published between 2000 and 2024. Of those, only 11 directly examined the impact of fulfilling last wishes.
Despite the limited research, the team identified four consistent benefits of wish-fulfillment programs:
- Improved holistic well-being
- Strengthened family bonds
- Cultivated gratitude
- Greater collaboration among families, health care providers and organizations
"When someone gets to check an item off their bucket list, it's more than just a joyful moment; it can have a lasting impact," Dr. Bennett said. "For families, fulfilling a dream often becomes a cherished shared memory. Some even described it as being as special as a wedding or the birth of a child."
The researchers found that these experiences extend beyond happiness and a sense of closure—they can also help caregivers provide more compassionate end-of-life care.
"When care providers talk with people about their hopes, dreams or last wishes, they can better understand what matters most and shape care around those priorities," Bennett said.
In some cases, fulfilling a wish even led to fewer hospital visits, reducing health care costs. For families, it helped resolve long-standing conflicts and fostered emotional healing.
The study found that many wishes can be fulfilled with little or no cost through programs like the 3 Wishes Project. These experiences are often simple yet deeply meaningful—such as playing a favorite song or decorating a hospital room in a patient's favorite colors.
"These moments can help ease regrets and offer closure before the end of life," Handique said.
The researchers noted that more study is warranted on this largely unexplored topic.
"Wish-fulfillment interventions represent a powerful tool in enhancing dignity and holistic experiences for terminally ill patients," the researchers concluded in the article. "Future research efforts could strengthen programs ensuring every individual is able to achieve a sense of peace, fulfillment and closure during their care trajectory."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
