How end of life care supports you and your loved ones
Published: 05/06/2023
As we get older and near the end of our lives, we find ourselves navigating an unfamiliar journey. This is not always easy for us or our loved ones as they join us. Having help from end of life homecare services is a huge support for us and our families as we start to understand this life stage and what it entails.
Here are some of the ways that end of life care offers support when it's needed most;
Comfort at home
Staying in the comfort of Home, able to be visited by the people that love us, can make all the difference to our state of mind. The familiarity of surroundings and continuation of routine is both reassuring and calming. Comfort can be supported in many forms and encompasses emotional and physical needs. From ensuring we are physically comfortable by helping with medication management and personal care to offering companionship for our peace of mind. Right At Home provides a range of homecare services in and around Guildford and Farnham, including end of life care. Our caregivers offer a variety of help that enables people to remain in their homes with their familiar routines and surroundings. The approach is very much person-centred to ensure that our clients retain their autonomy and are fully involved in the decision making process of their care. Maintaining some control over your life at a time of uncertainty can be very reassuring.
Emotional support
Emotional support is vital for everyone experiencing the end of life. It can be challenging to know what to say in these circumstances, and although honest conversations are essential, it is not always easy to know where to start. Right At Home have experienced caregivers who understand how best to create a compassionate environment to help alleviate fear, anxiety, and sadness during this time. Sometimes families can feel powerless, but caregivers can guide them through and help them to realise their loved one's wishes. They can also provide respite care so that family caregivers can take time to work through everything in their own way, knowing that their loved one is being cared for.
Guidance for family
Along with providing comfort and emotional support, caregivers can also offer guidance to families. If this is the first time they have experienced a loved one in such a situation, then it can be hard to navigate. So, it is good to know that their caregivers have been in similar situations before and are best placed to know the right things to do and say. They can help individuals and their families through the process and provide information on grief counselling services and other available support. Caregivers also understand the paperwork and procedures required at this time and can offer advice. It's about supporting the processes that families might find hard, allowing them to spend more time with their loved ones.
Respectful environment
Creating a respectful environment as someone is coming to the end of their life is hugely important, as it's such an intimate and personal time. It allows individuals and their families to experience this time with dignity and compassion and encourages open discussions about end of life wishes, promoting honest and empathetic conversations. At Right At Home, our caregivers are experienced in supporting such an environment by forming close bonds with their clients and respecting their choices. This can be concerning their treatment options, care preferences or end-of-life decisions. At the end of a client's life, caregivers can maintain a peaceful and serene atmosphere that supports emotional closure for the individual and their loved ones. They are focused on ensuring that their client is being physically looked after so that everyone can say goodbye in their own way.
If you would like further information on how homecare services can help you or a loved one by supporting you near the end of your life, call Right At Home on 01252 783426 and speak to one of our team. They would be glad to answer any questions you have.
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