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If end of life discussions are triggering or upsetting to you, please skip this thread.
For several years I worked as a hospice social worker & grief counselor for hospice families & the general public in several counties w/more cattle than people.
For several years I worked as a hospice social worker & grief counselor for hospice families & the general public in several counties w/more cattle than people.
It was always an honor & sacred moment to bear witness to a death. I got used to end of life discussions & other things many people find distressing to speak about.
( Heard in a training, "Americans think death is optional." Source unknown to me.)
( Heard in a training, "Americans think death is optional." Source unknown to me.)
One reason I think this was comfortable work for me was based on how my first encounter w/ losing a loved one was handled.
I was nearly 8 when my paternal grandmother, who had always lived a half mile away from our place, died from cancer.
I was nearly 8 when my paternal grandmother, who had always lived a half mile away from our place, died from cancer.
I remember my strong rancher daddy holding me close as we sat on an old wooden box under a tree. I sobbed out how much I didn& #39;t want Grandma to be dead.
Dad didn& #39;t try to cheer me up or explain it away. I remember him holding me close as his tears fell w/ mine. Genuine presence
Dad didn& #39;t try to cheer me up or explain it away. I remember him holding me close as his tears fell w/ mine. Genuine presence
Started thinking about that when I really meant to address end of life wishes in this thread...
Tomorrow we are having a sisters& #39; summit virtually with my elderly mom listening in.
I have my 5 wishes filled out and my will drafted as I know what a gift that can be to family.
Tomorrow we are having a sisters& #39; summit virtually with my elderly mom listening in.
I have my 5 wishes filled out and my will drafted as I know what a gift that can be to family.
My understanding is that ~ 17% of COVID-19 patients who are on vents actually recover. No one can perfectly predict who will survive being on a ventilator from this.
Does anyone have thoughts they are willing to share about how this virus is impacting their end of life wishes?
Does anyone have thoughts they are willing to share about how this virus is impacting their end of life wishes?
P.S. In my experience, families who lose a loved one to illness fare much better in bereavement if the patient talked about their wishes & plans in advance.
If your family refuses to listen, write it down. They will likely be grateful later.
If your family refuses to listen, write it down. They will likely be grateful later.
Put together your financial/personal/medical info & write a will. Inc the info needed for an obituary. Walk your spouse or executor through it all.
I noticed how lack of planning added an additional burden to unprepared families in the fog of grief.
I noticed how lack of planning added an additional burden to unprepared families in the fog of grief.
Thankfully, my mom has all her documentation and planning done! It will be a gift.
Talking about death does not cause death.
Grace and peace in these troubled times.
Talking about death does not cause death.
Grace and peace in these troubled times.