Things You Can Do to Help Your Loved Ones Cope with a Terminal Illness

What can you tell your loved one when they are diagnosed with a terminal illness? How can you show them your support? What can you do to make the situation a little more bearable?

You may have asked yourself these questions when thinking about how to comfort your terminally ill loved one. While it is challenging, just remember one thing—they are still the same person you know and love. If you need tips on how to help them cope, our hospice care in Simi Valley, California suggests the following:

• Ask them about what they want.
  Be sensitive to their wishes. Remember to respect what they want. If they want to remain at home, then we offer quality hospice and respite care in California to keep them as comfortable as possible.
• Make a wishlist.
  Is there anything your loved one wants to do with the remaining time they have? Do they want to visit a particular place? Or is there someone they would like to meet? List down these wishes and help your loved one accomplish as many of them as they can.
• Respect their dignity.
  While your loved one is seriously ill and needs care, you shouldn’t forget that privacy and their sense of identity still matter to them. Make them part of your conversations. Do not speak about them like they are not present.
• Reminisce.
  Talk to your loved one about your favorite memories with each other. Watch old family videos or browse through albums. You can also ask them to recap their childhood and the best moments they experienced.

Helping your loved one cope with an illness is not an easy feat, but know that you are not alone. AMERICUS HOSPICE, INC. is here to support you and your family. Learn more about our hospice care and grief counseling by getting in touch with us.