Importance of Planning for and Communication
about End of Life Issues
Part 1: Patient and Family
Contemplating the end of our life, and planning for it, can be a very difficult thing to do. But many of us will face prolonged illnesses toward the end of our lives. So, Texas Hospice recommends honest and open communication about end of life issues among family and loved ones, which helps the patient and the caregiver.
According to an article entitled End of Life Issues by the American College of Emergency Physicians Foundation, “Talking about and planning for your death is a way to ensure that you experience the best quality of life by your standards until the last possible minute. You know better than anyone else how you would want to be cared for if you were not able to recover from a serious illness or injury. Illness may prevent you from being able to express your wishes, so it is imperative that someone close to you can express these wishes for you.”
Both the caregiver and the patient need to feel safe in discussing the patient’s wants and care-related details. It is recommended that the patient initiate this discussion. If it is difficult to begin the conversation, writing out your thoughts initially in the form of a letter that can help make the process a little easier.
The ultimate goal is for the patient and caregiver to experience less stress and more fully enjoy the time they have together toward the end of life.
Important Questions to Ask Yourself
This month we focus on getting your thoughts together and beginning communication with your family. In next month's newsletter, we will cover discussing end of life care with your physician, taking care of needed paperwork like living wills and related information that provide peace of mind. Answering questions like the ones below will help you prepare.
To start the process, some examples of questions to ask your self include (from End of Life Issues article):
- If I could plan my death, what would it look like?
- Now may be a good time to think of your definition of a “good death.” For some it means dying after all potential medical therapies have been tried to save your life despite its effect on your quality of life. For others, having the ability to talk, eat, and live independently are of extreme importance and if this is jeopardized then medical interventions are unnecessary.
- Where do I want to die? At home? In a hospital or medical facility?
- Who would I like to care for me at the end of life? A spouse, your children or do you prefer just trained medical professionals, or a mix of both?
- Who would I like to make my medical decisions if I were unable to do so?
- Are there any treatments that I particularly want to receive or refuse?
- Do I have any particular fears about medical treatments that I may receive towards the end of my life?
- What kind of treatment would I want if I were in a state of prolonged unconsciousness and was not expected to recover?
- What role does religion or spiritual beliefs play and how does that affect my attitude towards dying and death?
- What role should finances play in my death?
- Medical costs often escalate towards the end of life. Knowing who will be responsible for these expenses helps reduce stress for you and your family. You should know what services insurance and government programs cover. Funeral costs should also be discussed with your family.
Next Steps
After answering the above questions, you can start communicating with appropriate family members. You need to express your wants concerning your end of life care before something happens health-wise that could keep your specific wishes from being carried out.
In the end, making these decisions in advance and communicating openly about them will allow you to have true peace of mind and help you more fully enjoy every day of your life. For more information or if you have additional questions for one of our social workers, please call the Texas Hospice home office at 866-770-7773.
