The decision to move your loved one to end-of-life care is a big one. This type of care offers tremendous benefits to your loved one, but there may be more people that need to be involved in the decision than you realize. Figuring out who should be involved in this process can help everyone quite a bit.

Your Loved One, if She’s Able

Just because your loved one is nearing the end of her life, that doesn’t necessarily mean that she’s unable to make decisions about the type of care she prefers. It’s entirely possible, in fact, that your loved one can assist readily with this decision. Also, your loved one may have given you or someone else very specific requirements for when this type of care is something that she wants.

Her Designated Healthcare Proxy

One way that your loved one might have given those specific requirements for future care is by designating a healthcare proxy and filling out advance directives or signing a healthcare power of attorney. Chances are very good that if you’re your loved one’s primary family caregiver, she may have made you her healthcare proxy. It’s also possible that you share those duties with someone else.

Family Members

Your loved one might be open to discussing this plan with other family members, too. Holding a family meeting might be the easiest way to educate family members about end-of-life care and what it can do for your loved one. If they don’t understand what this type of care entails, they can get the information they need to help you and your loved one make the right decision.

Her Medical Team

Her medical team might make suggestions about end-of-life care, but the ultimate decision may not rest with them entirely. Talk to your loved one’s doctors to determine what they recommend and to see if there are other options for care that might fit your loved one’s situation. Talking through the situation can help you to determine if this is the right option for your loved one.

Knowing who your loved one wants to have involved in this process can help everyone to come to a decision faster about end-of-life care.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering end of life care in Yardley, PA, please contact the caring staff at Serenity Hospice today. Call (215) 867-5405.