Posted on 19,870 Comments on Caring for Terminally Ill Patients and their Caregivers

Caring for Terminally Ill Patients and their Caregivers

Even in healthcare settings, death is (understandably) really uncomfortable to talk about. Most of us don’t want to think about our own death, let alone that of our loved ones. It’s hard– but that’s what makes these conversations so important to have in advance.

End of life care can be very stressful for both patients and families. Having conversations about wishes for end of life care now can make this difficult time a little less stressful later. With the current pandemic, a lot of people aren’t even able to have their family around them, which I think we can all agree sounds even more difficult.

Care for Terminally Ill Patients

One of the most important things you can do, even if you are healthy right now, is to fill out advance directives. You can find New York’s here, and every other state’s here. These forms basically document your wishes about end of life care– what you would want in the event you can’t speak for yourself, who can make decisions about your healthcare, etc. While it can be really hard to fill these out and think about a time when they might need to be used, completing them and knowing that neither yourself or your family will be burdened with stressful decision-making is worth taking the time.

When patients are in the last few months of life, hospice is one of the options available to them. In Albany, the Community Hospice provides hospice services to patients at home, in nursing facilities, and also in St. Peter’s hospital at the Hospice Inn.

Visiting Angels is another option for in-home care, especially for people who want to remain as independent as possible. You can schedule visits and create a care plan to help with daily activities, providing company, and helping with meals and medications.

There are a couple more end of life care options that I have listed on a separate post here.

Supporting Caregivers

Caregiver burden can really affect the health of family caregivers and also patients. It’s important that caregivers get the support and relief they need when caring for a loved one– here are some resources in Albany for caregiver support, including a support group. Having been a caregiver myself, I know it can be really relieving to talk to people that have or are experiencing similar stresses.

Caregiving during a pandemic can be even more difficult– the CDC has listed some helpful tips for caregiving at this time to try and prepare for staying at home for a longer period of time. If you are caregiving for someone, it’s important to check in with yourself from time to time and recognize when you need a break. It can be really hard to ask for help, but doing it all alone also gets really overwhelming really fast. On the other hand, if you know someone that is a caregiver, make sure you take some time to ask them if they need anything (picking up medications, groceries) and what you can do to help.

While end of life care has always been a part of healthcare, I think this pandemic has increased awareness of its importance and brought it to everyone’s attention a little more. These conversations and experiences will always be difficult, but thankfully there are some resources that can help make sure patients and families receive support as they go through it.

19,870 thoughts on “Caring for Terminally Ill Patients and their Caregivers”

  1. I frequently read short articles or reviews that effectively communicate their ideas. This is also true for the piece I’m currently reading. – 24k bet app

    Reply

  2. MOHID is revolutionizing the way mosques across the USA manage their donations with their state-of-the-art Mosque Donation Kiosk . These kiosks are strategically located in various mosques, making it incredibly convenient for community members to contribute to their local mosque’s needs. By utilizing MOHID’s technology, mosques can ensure a seamless and efficient donation process, ultimately helping to support and sustain their vital services and programs.

    Reply

  4. While searching on Dating I found your blog, there are some good posts here and I’ll be checking back slot

    Reply

  5. As an avid follower of global affairs, I appreciate Bulletin Exclusive for consistently delivering insightful coverage that spans beyond borders. Their in-depth analysis and timely updates truly cater to the needs of a newsworld international audience. Keep up the excellent work.

    Reply

  8. Everyone loves your blog post.. very nice colorings & motif. Have anyone layout this amazing site your self and also would people rely on someone else to get it done for you personally? Plz react since I!|m aiming to style and design by myself blog and also would like to recognize exactly where you obtained the following by. thanks a lot Website Builders Reviews

    Reply

  9. A well-known printing brand like Canon is the world’s top brand, offering top-notch printers for high-quality graphics. They have a huge catalog of printer models that meet the needs of general users and businesses. However, a new printer needs to be setup before usage. Navigate to the canon.com/ijsetup and complete the printer setup by following the easy instructions given on the site.

    Reply

  14. TIGERKOIN adalah pelopor permainan digital untuk para kalangan slotter mania di indonesia menawarkan game terupdate dengan berbagai provider terbaik. tigerkoin

    Reply

  16. Hello everyone! How’s everything going? This site offers great value to all of us, and your insights are incredibly helpful for newcomers. – 24k bet app

    Reply

  18. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything in this way before. So nice to seek out somebody with many original thoughts on this subject. realy i appreciate you for beginning this up. this excellent website is one thing that is needed over the internet, an individual with a bit of originality. beneficial task for bringing new stuff towards the net! motorcycle face mask

    Reply

  19. Bookmaker KUBET is the leading online betting entertainment brand in Asia in general and Vietnam in particular. Owning a modern online betting platform helps players satisfy entertainment anywhere. KUBET

    Reply

  24. The the next occasion Someone said a blog, I hope who’s doesnt disappoint me up to this one. Get real, I know it was my substitute for read, but I really thought youd have some thing intriguing to convey. All I hear is a handful of whining about something that you could fix in the event you werent too busy searching for attention. motorcycle face mask

    Reply

  25. Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often! continue reading

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *