Knowing how to die well is a subject that is often brought up near the end of a seniors lives. We spend much time thinking and planning on how to live, but we often leave out another important part of life cycle. Dying.
7 Tips on How to Die Well
If you’re like most Americans, you want the best end of life choices for your elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, many don’t plan or prepare for this difficult time. Instead, everything is arranged hastily at the last moment.
You’ve got one chance to get it right. So, the best way of going about it is to have a plan in place. These seven tips will help you better decide how to let your loved one die well.
Reduce Pain – Pain and suffering is what most people vision when they think of someone dying. The reality is, most people do not suffer much physical pain when they are in a hospital environment. However, some seniors prefer to spend their last days at home around familiar faces. If this is the case, you need to speak with your loved one’s doctor and find out what assistance you will need to make passing as painless as possible.
Keeping the Faith – Many seniors become really close with their faith during the last stages of their lives. They realize that mortality is inescapable, and their religion begins to play a bigger part in their lives. Regardless of their cognitive state, if you understand that your loved one was a religious person, you should respect that and allow them to practice their faith or help practice it for them.
Give Them Mental Peace – Probably one of the worst feelings of some seniors who are dying is that they are worried that others will suffer from their departure. It’s up to your family members to assure your loved one that you will be fine mentally and that you will do everything to keep the family strong and together.
You could read verses from whatever holy book they use. Or, you could see that the proper clergy is available for them during this special time of need. Religion can have a calming and assuring effect on people who have faith. It might be the best way for them to have a good death.
Give Them What They Need – Another way of how to die well is to give your loved one everything they want and need. If your loved one is aware of the surroundings and understands what is taking place, you should ask them if there is something that they want or need.
Maybe they would like to see a good friend for the last time. Perhaps, they owe someone some money and want to repay it. Then, again, maybe they would like to listen to some of their favorite songs or they might just want to some time alone. It is imperative to give them what they want if you can.
Focus on the Good – A lot happens over the life of most people. We can say that there is a lot of good that comes out of life to counter most of the bad times. Use this final time to focus on all of the pleasant times that you and others can remember and never forget. Bring in old photos. Listen to some music that might put a smile on your elderly loved one’s face.
Respect Their Right to Die – Those who have watched loved ones suffer from prolonged illnesses like cancer understand the end of life shouldn’t linger on for long periods of time. If the doctors have done everything they could to save your loved one, then you should respect what your loved one wanted. In these cases, hospice care should probably be chosen over intensive care treatment.
Hospitals have many restrictions on visiting hours and the number of people who can be in the room at one time. During a time when seniors might love to see all of their family gathered for them, they mostly only see medical staff. Ask yourself, is that the way you want to leave this earth?
Mend Fences – Any one of these days could be the last time to say you were sorry about something or to ask your loved one for forgiveness. None of us are perfect and sometimes sharp words have be said. There are perhaps no stronger words than “I’m sorry.”
How to Die Well – Conclusion
We all know that we will die one day. A large part of how to die well starts long before the dying process. Find out what your senior loved ones want before they die. Do everything in your power to see they get it.
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