Are you or someone close to you facing the end of life?
Facing the thought of your own death, or the death of a loved one, can be anxiety provoking because it is a time of uncertainty. Even when a person’s disease process may be incurable, a lot can be done to ease pain and suffering for the person who is dying and for their loved ones. Counselors can provide emotional support when it is needed the most. Counselors can assess unmet needs related to mood, pain, and the need for medical and supportive services. With assistance, you can make sense of a myriad of care options to make the best choices possible at the end of life.
The greatest fear is fear of the unknown. While each of us will experience the end of life in our own unique way, having a greater understanding of life’s final stage can provide needed emotional support to everyone involved. For many people, talking about death and dying is an uncomfortable topic which may signal giving up and a loss of hope. It often seems easier to talk about life in the here and now so as to avoid the topic of death. In all actuality, talking about death can lead to reduced anxiety and an improved quality of life for both the person who is dying and for loved ones. Counseling not only gets the conversation out in the open, but it also helps to facilitate expression of difficult emotions and to make important decisions when death does arrive.
Seeking the support of a professional counselor can help you deal with critical topics, such as:
- Making decisions about healthcare when unable to do so (called proxy, surrogate, representative, or health care power of attorney)
- Making decisions about medical treatment (what kinds of treatment do you want and when)
- Making decisions about comfort (pain management, options for hospice and palliative care)
- Making decisions about non-medical treatment (living at home versus residential settings, options for spiritual, mental health, and other types of supportive care)
- Making decisions about communication with loved ones (funeral and memorial plans, final wishes, forgiveness and regrets)
I can help you get through this difficult time to navigate fear, regrets, and important decisions.
