Navigating the ins and outs of hospice care is never easy, especially if you’re transitioning a loved one into end of life care. Everyone is affected when such a life event occurs and it can affect your family and friends in unexpected ways.
If you’re one of the many people with a family member entering hospice care, here are some of the best ways to help ease the transition for everyone involved.
Easing the transition for your loved one
There’s no magic formula to helping your ailing loved one transition into a hospice facility. More often than not, it’s an uncomfortable process that can be met with some conflict. To help make this process easier, making them feel comfortable and seeking the help of a therapist or family counselor can help.
The best thing you can do is invest in a hospice care facility that offers the best in quality care. When you know your loved one’s needs are being met, you can start working on the other aspects of the transition.
Easing the transition for your family
Everyone deals with grief in different ways. Some people might express themselves emotionally, typically through tears or bouts of anger. Others may need time to themselves to digest what is happening. When you want to help ease the transition for your entire family, the best thing you can do is be there for them.
That doesn’t mean that you have to serve as the family therapist. But simply listening to your loved ones and acknowledging their concerns can make a huge difference to someone who is grieving.
Easing the transition for yourself
Being the family rock can be difficult, but it’s even harder when you have to take care of your loved one’s finances and assets. Throughout the process, you should always take the time you need to check in on yourself and invest in self-care. Something as simple as sleeping in an extra 20 minutes or going for a walk can be the grounding force you need to tackle what’s to come. Remember that there’s no shame in leaning on a professional if you need someone to talk to.
Things to keep in mind
An important aspect of hospice care is knowing what to expect. While you can’t predict everything that your loved one will go through, there are a few essential tasks that must be performed as your loved one reaches the end of their life. These include:
- Funeral arrangements: Funeral arrangements are an important aspect of end of life care. Depending on the wishes of your loved one, you might consider burial or cremation as two of the most common options. Nowadays, more people than ever have begun to request a cremation service as their preferred method of after-life disposition. If your loved one hasn’t chosen a funeral arrangement, choosing this is a dignified, eco-friendly, and affordable option for many families.
- The will and testimony: The will and testimony will typically include the preferred funeral arrangements, last wishes, and more. It’s recommended that the family invests in a lawyer to help establish a will as a legitimate legal document. If your loved one has not written a will by the time they enter hospice care, it’s often created with the help of the guardian or conservator who is making decisions for them at the time.
- Estate/asset planning: It might seem impossible to divvy up your loved one’s estates, but it’s thanks to you that their assets will be controlled in the first place. In many cases, ailing individuals simply leave their goods to the government. With a loved one manning the estate planning for the hospice patient, you will know that the assets are distributed in line with your loved one’s wishes. Anything leftover can often be sold or donated to help cover any end of life expenses. Larger items, like used cars, can often be donated to organizations or Easton car dealerships for a small value.
These are just some of the ways your family can prepare for the difficulties associated with hospice care. Rely on these tips and be sure to talk to a professional for more advice.
