We all know that we may have to face death one day, but knowing that it may be looming around the corner can be scary. People get sick, and unfortunately, it can happen to the ones that we love the most. We have to try our best to support them during this situation and to help ourselves understand and accept it. Here are some things that can help you and your loved one get through it the best way possible.
Anticipatory Grief
If you know that someone you care about has a terminal illness, the loved one and others can experience anticipatory grief. It means that you grieve a loss before it happens. Anticipatory grief makes you think about the losses, such as impaired abilities and life. Typical emotions of anticipatory grief include depression, anxiety, anger, sorrow, etc.
You might feel like it is crucial to make whatever time left count, depending on how close you are to the person. It is entirely reasonable to feel the symptoms of anticipatory grief. However, you should try to find ways to comfort you and your loved one. For instance, you can join a support group or talk to family members and friends, especially if they have been through a similar situation. Listening to tapes or reading books made for caregivers can help as well.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is an excellent option for your loved one because it focuses on the quality of their life. It encompasses spiritual, emotional, and physical needs and can be done in a hospice residence, assisted living center, home, or a nursing home. Hospice care helps by offering support, pain control, and symptom relief when your loved one does not want to get aggressive treatment, and if there is no cure.
Most terminally ill patients experience a lot of pain when they continue their treatment. If the doctor states that there is no cure, then hospice care can help them. It can treat their illness’s symptoms and pain. For instance, people with cancer will not have to go through chemotherapy, which can make them feel weak and tired and choose hospice care to live the rest of their life peacefully and pain-free. You can find excellent services for Indiana hospice care if you wish to retain the quality of life for your loved one.
Be There
Do not underestimate the value of your presence to a terminally ill relative. They would have a lot of feelings and thoughts, and you do not want to make them feel like they are alone. You also do not want to feel like you are not saying everything that you want to say. Spend as much quality time with them as you can, and more importantly, you should speak to each other. Open up about your current and past feelings, but learn how to understand and accept whatever is said. “I forgive you” and “Forgive me” can take a weight off both of your shoulders.
Dealing with the idea of losing a loved one is hard on everyone. The best way to deal with it is to comfort them as much as possible while seeking comfort through yourself. Try following the tips above to help all of you get through these hard times.
