When a loved one breaks the news that they have a terminal disease, it feels like a blow in the face. How to respond and what to say, you feel all perplexed. You just know that your loved one needs you and you want to do all in your power to be helpful.
You may initially feel horrified or perhaps you suddenly experience grief. There is no right or wrong way to respond to such a situation, and it is never an easy thing to hear.
Your emotions are real. To cope with the situation better, first, you should hold and comprehend them so that you don’t hurt your loved one.
You can help your loved one with palliative care at home. But first, you should have a clear understanding of end-of-life care and what things you should avoid saying to the patient.
Palliative Care at Home:
For those who are approaching the end of their lives, palliative care is a specialized form of care that focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with life-threatening conditions.
Palliative care at home can help patients with serious chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and ALS.
Palliative care at home enables patients to manage their illness in the security and comfort of their own residence, accompanied by loved ones. A specialized live-in caregiver can help with therapies and symptom relief.
5 Things You Should Avoid Saying to Someone in Palliative Care
Palliative care is a critical time for the patients as well as the families. The patients need their family members to stay closer to them, so make sure you don’t say anything that could unintentionally hurt their feelings.
1. ‘How Do You Feel?’
Someone with a terminal illness might not want to discuss or share their feelings or specific medical information, so you should be careful not to start the conversation by asking how they feel. An alternate greeting is to express how wonderful it is to see them. You’re putting the emphasis on them rather than their condition by expressing how genuinely delighted you are to see them.
2. “Someone Having the Same Illness Got Better”
You might not realize it, but talking about someone else’s disease might be upsetting for your loved one. Comparing two persons with the same ailment won’t show up any hope because everyone responds to treatments and drugs differently. During palliative care, instead of fostering false optimism focus on the present and ask if they need any help, such as getting medicines.
3. “You Don’t Look Very Sick”
Telling a patient that they appear fine isn’t going to help. A loved one in palliative care may be taking medicines that make them physically uncomfortable, so there’s a good chance that they’re not at their best.
It could appear as if you don’t believe them or don’t understand what they are going through, even though it sounds like a great thing to say. Instead, talk about how they have made your life better. Focus on positive memories and celebrate all of the special moments you have had together.
4. “You Are Going to A Better Place”
Such statements make sweeping generalizations about a person’s beliefs. Don’t presume that your loved one has already acknowledged or accepted their position in heaven or any other happy afterlife, even if you are aware that they do. If a loved one is in palliative care, give them space and ask them if they need any help or assistance.
5. “I Hope You’ll Get Better”
Such expressions of false hopes typically result in a fear of expecting or discussing end-of-life. This can put emotional strain on the patient. As an alternative, “I’m here with you” is a good phrase to use when someone is in palliative care.
Being there is the most effective thing you can do to help a loved one who is terminally ill. We often underestimate how far offering your time and physical presence can go.
Alternatives to Help Someone in Palliative Care:
Sometimes, words are not as powerful as deeds. Prepare their meals and assist with household tasks. You might assist them in locating the ideal healthcare company that provides live-in palliative care. So, they can have the compassionate support they need.
In Conclusion:
It is difficult to acknowledge that a loved one has a life-threatening disease, and it can be difficult to know what to say at first. The finest thing you can do is to always remember to speak with empathy and compassion.
Patients who are approaching the end of their life need critical care and support. You should consider getting palliative care at home. A specialized live in caregiver will not only help relieve their symptoms and take care of their medical needs but also provide emotional support and companionship.
