One of the conversations caregivers dread the most is having that conversation with their loved one about what his desires are for any end of life care he might need. For some, it’s difficult because they are doing so much to help their loved one each day that focusing on something that is in the future may seem like too much, and thus, keeps getting put off more and more as daily tasks absorb all of their time.
For other caregivers, it might seem like it is too far in the future, as their elderly loved one is in good health with no immediate health concerns. And for others, it’s just the opposite. Their elderly loved one does have a serious health concern, and talking about end of life care options may seem like giving up hope.
Whatever the reason for the difficulties in having this discussion with your elderly loved one, it’s an important decision to have, and the sooner you have it, the better you’ll feel about your loved one’s future and knowing what to do to honor his wishes.
What Should Be Discussed Regarding End of Life Care
You might decide to tackle all of these topics in one session, or you might break them up into several conversations. Whichever you choose is okay, so long as you discuss them all. If you need help, an end of life care trained professional can help you broach these topics with care, consideration, and clarity.
- Financial considerations such as wills, who will manage the bills, and how to find all of the bills that will need to be taken care of.
- Physical care. What directives does your loved one have if he has a sudden medical event? He might like to have a say in what measures doctors will go to in order to sustain life.
- Emotional care. How does your loved one want to spend his final days on Earth? Does he want to be at home, at a hospital, or someplace else? Does he need spiritual support during that time, or perhaps peace and calm are the most important things to him?
- Home, car, and pet care. It can be helpful to know who can step in to take care of a beloved pet or manage the home if your loved one has an extended hospital stay.
Four Tips for Discussing End-of-Life Care
- Schedule a time to talk without interruptions. If you worry that emotions may be elevated during this time, a professional who offers end of life care counseling may help everyone remain calm and respectful during tough conversations.
- Be prepared. Do some research on your options before you sit down so that you can talk about all of them. Research how to set up the proper financial documents, costs related to any end of life care options, and what is offered where your loved one lives.
- Include who needs to be included, but don’t include everyone. Too many opinions can make making any progress difficult. Talk to your loved one about who he’d like to have a say in his end-of-life decisions and try to keep those people to less than a handful.
- Be patient, be kind, and be respectful. Your loved one may struggle to talk about some areas, or he might have ideas that you never considered. The goal is to honor his wishes in a way that works for everyone.
If you or an aging loved one are considering End of Life Care in Palmer Lake, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs, CO, today. Call (719) 639-2663
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Colorado Springs, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy, Black Forest, Cimarron Hills, Fort Carson, Gleneagle, Larkspur, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Perry Park, Rock Creek Park, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, and Woodmoor and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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