Preparing for the End of Life
For many families, preparing for the end of life is not easy. There are many emotional issues, and sometimes conflicting spiritual views. But, though preparing for the end of life may be hard in the short-term, it can pave the way for a peaceful transition with the deceased person's wishes and cultural rites being honored.
There are five steps to take to prepare:
- Talk to your family member about their wishes and expectations.
- Prepare an End of Life Plan based on these discussions.
- Prepare the legal documents needed to ensure that the plan can be carried out.
- Compile documents and information that will be needed after death.
- Be an advocate for your family member's rights and ability to receive quality care.
If you follow the guidelines above, you will be better prepared for the many things that have to be done following a death. And, you will be able to spend quality time with your family member before death knowing that you understand his/her wishes, fears, and how he/she chooses to die. This can be comforting for both you, the caregiver, and your care recipient.
