When patients near their end of life, their families often come to us with questions about how they can help support their loved one and what they should be doing during their final days together. Each family’s situation and dynamics are different, but at Ardent Hospice & Palliative Care, we want our patients’ loved ones to know that there is actually no right or wrong thing to do.
We have found that as your loved one reaches the end of their journey, there are certain things that may help bring you closure and make the most of your time with each other.
Spend Time Together
Families will ask us when they should start calling out-of-town family members to visit their loved one. We always tell them the time is now; you shouldn’t wait to spend time. There’s no way to fully determine when they will pass or reach a specific point of decline, so we would encourage you to enjoy the time you have with them for as long as you can.
While you’re with your loved one, the most important thing you can do is let them know that you’re there for them and that you love them. You shouldn’t stress over exactly how you spend your time, so long as you’re treasuring those moments with each other as a family.
Lean on Ardent
All too often, patients and their families don’t realize how much help and support our team can provide. We always try to urge families to utilize our services as much as possible so we can take any burden away from them and allow them to focus on their time together.
Not only can we provide home medical care for your loved one, but our spiritual counselor and social worker can also offer emotional support for you and the rest of your family. It’s perfectly normal to have worries, fears, and concerns about losing your loved one; our team is trained to help you work through those and cope with your grief in a healthy manner.
If the stress or responsibilities of providing care ever becomes too much, we can set up respite care. Our social worker will arrange for a facility—and transportation if necessary—to care for your loved one for a few hours to a few days to provide you with a break so you can rest and recharge. We understand the pressures a family member may feel as a caregiver, and it’s our goal to alleviate that burden as best we can. There’s no wrong or inappropriate request when it comes to additional support; the more you open up and express your concerns, the more we can do to help you.
Find Peace as a Family
One of the most difficult challenges for most families is finding peace as their loved one is at the point of passing. We’ve found that patients will often hold on amidst struggle or decline, because they’re worried about their family’s emotions and pain. Our counselors are highly trained to help you get to a point where you’re managing your grief and able to offer comfort to your loved one.
We’ll do everything we can to help you, as a family, find peace. Because ultimately, our mission is to provide the best care possible to our patients, and that means ensuring they have support, reassurance, and encouragement from the people who mean the most to them.
To learn more about all the ways Ardent can support you through your loved one’s end of life journey, visit us online or call us at 559-408-5945.
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