Toward the end of your loved one’s life, you may find yourself floundering and not knowing just what to do for her. Taking care of her emotional well-being is often all that you need to do for her.

Don’t Keep Information from Her

It might be really tempting to keep bad news or potentially frightening information from your loved one at this time. Doing that, though, can leave your loved one feeling as though she’s being left out or talked about behind her back. Preserve your loved one’s dignity and share with her whatever information pertains to her health.

Listen to Her

Your elderly loved one might have some specific topics that she wants to talk about with you. She may want to talk about how she feels about the stage of life she’s in or she may have specific memories that she wants to talk about. Listen to your loved one and try to avoid sharing too many of your own fears.

Just Being There Can Be Enough

For some elderly loved ones, simply knowing that you’re there with her can be enough. You can watch movies or television together or simply spend quiet time with each other. If your loved one isn’t responsive, you might want to consider reading one of her favorite books to her. This allows her to hear your voice, but she doesn’t have to respond.

Respect the Wishes Your Loved One Has Expressed

Your elderly loved one may have prepared some specific wishes in advance. If this is the case, you really do need to respect those wishes as closely as possible. Your loved one trusts you as her primary caregiver to ensure that what she wants is what happens, within reason.

Leave the Heavy Lifting to Others

This can be a difficult time for you and other family members. If at all possible, look into hiring hospice care providers and leave the heavier caregiving tasks to them. That way you can focus on spending quality time with your elderly loved one in the time that she has left.

Talk to your loved one about what she needs from you in terms of support so you can make sure you’re meeting those needs.

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