Services
Companionship
and Presence
It can be helpful for a person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness to talk through their feelings with an outside source. They may feel as if they are burdening family members or friends who are already doing so much for them. On the flip side, it can be overwhelming to be a caregiver for a person who is dying. A caregiver cannot be and do everything. My goal would be to meet the individual needs of the person who is ill and their caregivers and help both find peace. What is needed will vary for each family.
Ways I can help include:
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Providing an empathetic ear and making suggestions on how to share important information and feelings with family members. It may be addressing a need for forgiveness or affirmations of love and gratefulness. My goal is for each person involved to find peace in the process and feel nothing important has been left unsaid.
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Assisting the person who is ill to find joy in the little things. Maybe they have always loved playing cards – we can play a few games. Maybe they have always loved being outdoors – we can sit outside and enjoy some fresh air together and talk about past vacations. Or, if they are unable to get outside, I can bring a laptop of pictures of places they have always wanted to visit or places they have visited to illicit memory sharing to bring joy to their day. Maybe they love to read but can no longer do it themselves. I can read to them or find books on tape for them to listen to. People who are dying do not need to stop living. My goal is to help them live life to the fullest and find joy in each day until they die.
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Presence throughout this final journey including when they are actively dying. I can sit vigil to give family members time to rest and ensure the dying person isn’t alone. I can also help loved ones find meaning in what can be one of the most difficult stages of this journey.
Planning
and Support
Support can be provided in many ways and tailored to your specific needs. The purpose is always to empower the dying person to leave the world on their own terms and provide necessary support to caregivers who are tired and overwhelmed.
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My support can include:
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Helping you create advanced directives and a health care proxy which spells out medical decisions and who should make decisions on the ill person’s behalf when they are unable to do so themselves.
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Advanced planning to allow the person who is ill to direct the way they would like things to go as their illness progresses – this could include who visits and how the room should be set up to be most comfortable and inspiring to them.
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Spiritual support – exploring how the dying person and loved ones feel about this final journey and what may happen next.
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Identifying tasks and goals not yet accomplished and working on them together.
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Creating legacy projects such as a recipe box, letters to loved ones, recording family history interviews or putting together photo books.
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Coordinating assistance and visits from family and friends. There are often many people who would like to help. I can help direct where they can be most useful and create a schedule that works for everyone.
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Providing suggestions on community resources.
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Providing bereavement support after death.