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by Staci Metzger, MSW Grief is generally thought of as something that happens after the death of a loved one, but what many people don’t realize is grief takes on many forms, and can happen at any time. Grief can occur when witnessing a loved one loses his or her independence, when a loved one is diagnosed…
There’s no doubt that determining the best care for a terminally ill loved one can be daunting and incredibly taxing, especially when multiple family members and caregivers are involved. Family dynamics can play a significant role in helping—or potentially hindering—end-of-life care considerations for the person facing a life-limiting illness. When we love deeply, our emotional…
When someone you care about or love has been told they only have a few days, weeks or months to live, it can be challenging to deal with that reality. It’s in our nature to always want to ‘fix’ things, so when we are unable to ‘fix’ the dying person, it’s complicated. Because we may…
by Janna Kontz, MDiv, chaplain Bringing people spiritual comfort is a challenge at any time. Every person is unique, and comes to the end of his or her life with individual experiences. Additionally, not everyone believes the same things I do. In my role as a chaplain, I am often asked to bring spiritual comfort…
by Jennifer Messelt, LMSW, LGSW “I know exactly how you feel.” In the nearly 13 years I have worked as a bereavement specialist, I have learned this is one of most unwelcome phrases heard by those who have experienced the death of a loved one. No matter how similar two losses may seem, no two…
For many health care providers working in assisted living facilities, nursing homes and other environments, beginning a conversation about hospice care with a resident, patient or family member can be extremely difficult. Yet, as a trusted source of information, you can play an important role in ensuring patients are informed about—and receive—the most appropriate care available to them.…
If you’ve ever visited a friend or loved one who is terminally ill and not very responsive, you may wonder whether your visits make a difference. You may think: “I don’t feel like I am doing anything.” … “The person is asleep, or falls asleep, during my visit. Should I wake them? Should I stay?” ……
If you or your loved one has a terminal illness, managing your pain is a high priority. Pain can be many things to many people; it can be described in many ways. People most naturally tend to think of their physical pain, but pain can also be emotional and spiritual. Physical pain can be caused…