NewsLine - July 2013 - (Page 6)

continued from previous page to know that her current experience was normal and what the likely next step would be. She said that she didn’t want to “look too far down the road,” though she didn’t want to be surprised either. distasteful, can help the patient feel “less stuck.” While difficult, we can help by assisting them in choosing not necessarily the “best option,” but perhaps the “least bad” option. Education on the Dying Process We often focus this education on caregivers; however, a patient’s anxiety can also be reduced through education about what to expect. Some patients may want as many details as possible about each step — from their current level of functioning to their last breath. Others, on the other hand, want information one step at a time. One patient that I counseled wanted to know what to expect, but “not too far in advance.” After clarification, I understood that she wanted 6 NewsLine prolonged incapacitation that precedes death and, as a result, many are unprepared as their condition worsens. We need to educate them about what to expect and provide the resources to help them with the process. Education on Allocation of Energy Most patients underestimate the fatigue that comes from being terminally ill, so it’s important to encourage them to do only those things that are most important to them and use their energy wisely. In fact, helping patients to understand and accept their limitations and prepare them to make conscious choices about how to spend their time is a vital role of the entire team. If we do not, they may waste their precious energy and miss out on some of those special moments. Worry About a Love One So often patients will say they are worried about close friends and family they will leave behind. Reminding them of the caregiver’s natural support system, as well as the bereavement support services that will be available to their family, can provide comfort and peace of mind. Addressing Legal Affairs Some people are very concerned about getting their affairs in order while they’re able to do so, while others are far less comfortable with such tasks. For those who want to be involved, education about the legal documents that will be required to facilitate access to finances or the transfer of assets is very beneficial. Far too often those who are ill are unaware of the Education on Role Modeling Patients will tell you that they feel like a burden to their loved ones and are interfering with the lives of their adult children or grandchildren. We certainly can’t minimize the challenges and disruptions that confront everyone involved when a person is terminally ill, but we can reframe their perception by reminding them that they are role models too. Parents, grandparents, and other family members are all role models, whether they are aware of it or not. Children learn to nurture by being nurtured and they learn how to function within their family because of how they see

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - July 2013

Counseling for Better Quality of Life
A Message From Don
Funeral Service in America
ehospice USA (display ad)
Simione Consulting (display ad)
FHSSA: From Kansas City to Africa (display ad)
Managing Dyspnea
Lighthouse of Hope Fund (display ad)
New Tip Sheets on Pain
Supporting Fathers and Other Males
Member News
Compliance Tip
Innovation and Excellence at CTC (display ad)
Videos Worth Watching
Links to Resources on the NHPCO Website

NewsLine - July 2013