Working with Your Senior to Plan for the End of Her Life

End-of-Life Care in Grass Valley CA

End-of-Life Care in Grass Valley CA

Talking about and planning for the end of her life might not be something that your senior is excited about, but it’s an important part of making sure that she has the experience she wants at the end of her life. This means delving into the situations that your elderly family member might avoid even thinking about herself, but doing so in a way that supports her and ensures that she’s going to be okay.

Discuss Everyone’s Expectations

It might not be obvious right away, but your senior, you, and other family members may all have different expectations about what the possibilities are for her at the end of her life. Talking about what everyone expects is really important because it allows everyone to let go of expectations that might get in the way of what your senior wants. This is her experience, so it needs to reflect her needs and wants.

Understand What Matters to Your Senior

Now is the time to make sure that you understand what matters most to your senior as she nears the end of her life. Talk with her about how she wants to spend that time, especially if she’s dealing with serious health issues that have caused her to undergo challenging treatments. There may come a time when your senior has a clear line that lets her know it’s time to leave those treatments and try a different approach.

Ask Your Senior’s Medical Providers What She Needs

It’s also important to talk with your elderly family member’s medical providers about her health and what she should expect from the coming months or even years, if they advise that she does have years left. Understanding from them when it might be the time to make certain changes is some vital information. They can give you and your elderly family member cues to notice which can be a sign that a different approach is a good idea.

Consider When End-of-life Care May Be Appropriate

Once your elderly family member has input from her medical team, you and she can talk about what her plan needs to be. Bringing in end-of-life care sooner instead of waiting can make a tremendous difference for your senior. This can help both you and your senior to cope with the changes that occur for her and you at the end of her life.

Adjust the Plan as Needed

Nothing is static in life or at the end of life. Your senior may have had some specific goals and plans for the end of her life, but her health may change dramatically in ways that she doesn’t expect. She may need to explore end-of-life care options sooner than she expected, but if you’ve had these conversations, it can be a lot easier to adjust to those changing needs.

Planning the end of her life can be a powerful decision for your senior. She has the opportunity to continue to make choices, rather than letting her situation dictate the terms of how she’s going to spend the rest of her life.

If you are considering end-of-life care in Grass Valley, CA, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at PIC Comfort Care today. Call (530) 885-9948.

Shaun Clinkinbeard
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