Hospice Care

Knowing that a loved one is terminally ill will always be a band and scary news for everyone. This means the illness does not have any chance of curing and that the person has already limited time in this world. Some of us may get bitter, deny the reality, or cry. But regardless of what we do, time and life go on, whether we are or not ready to accept what will happen next.

The thing that you need is emotional support especially when the patient is someone you are very close with. With the anticipation of death and bereavement, the family may need to prepare themselves to adjust to the following emotions they might feel during and after their loved one’s death.

Sorrow

Anger

Anxiety

Depression

Denial

Acceptance

Some of the people would feel determined and deny the fact the illness is incurable to the extent they still find ways on finding last-resort treatments and such. There will also times that they might feel the longing for release or guilt and conflicted.

If you are experiencing what we mentioned above which are the signs of anticipatory grief of loved one’s death soon, you may find doing the following comforting for you:

Join a support group in person or online

Talk with sympathetic family and friends especially those who have experienced the same situation

Read books or listen to podcasts made for caregivers to b able to know what to do in the last remaining days of your loved one.

Things you can do:

Seek spiritual counsel – talk with your religious leader as they provide spiritual counseling and make you understand the natural processes of life and death.

Ask advice about hospice – social workers and hospice Albuquerque are able to provide you guidance on how to take care of your loved one who is terminally ill.

Ask a doctor for help – although the illness is incurable, it is still helpful to ask the doctors for guidance as they are able to give you physical symptoms and how to alleviate pain and discomfort.

Talk to your loved one – although it is painful, a terminal illness offers us the chance to talk openly to our loved one and exchange some words like “I love you.” it is also a time when we can make amends when necessary. The following words can be best exchanged with each other:

Forgive me

I love you

Forgive me

I forgive you

Thank you

Goodbye

There are times that people cling on to life because they sense that their family and loved ones are not ready to let them go. So, tell your loved one that it is all right to let them go whenever they are ready and give them the assurance that you will be able to carry on. This may give theme relief and peace of mind.

Let go – some people slip into and out of denial when a person is experiencing grief from someone’s nearing death. The harsh reality will still sting you no matter how ready you think you are. Deal with the emotions by feeling them. Do not deny grief, pain, or guilt. Let yourself feel them, and when you are ready, accept that you need to let go.