Guest Contributor: Craig Meadows, SurvivingDayOne.com
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If a family member or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, it can be difficult to process what will happen. After a while, many individuals come to terms with the eventual loss they will face. With that, many are forced to examine what loose ends they will need to tie up, from handling legal affairs to developing a support network for themselves and others. Haga Books of Faith invites you to learn more about what you can do to ease this transition with these suggestions in mind.
Handle Legal Matters First
While the person you care about is still of sound mind and able to voice what he or she would like, it's necessary to discuss if it's advisable to make someone a power of attorney or have a living will in place. If your loved one has not already made a will, this would be a good time to do so, along with establishing an executor. Taking care of difficult legal situations early on can ensure that final days are focused on comfort and family.
Discuss What Funeral Arrangements Look Like
Ask your family member or loved one if they have given any thought to how they would like their funeral to be. Some people take solace in planning this, while others would like to leave it up to a person they trust. Some funerals are labeled as end-of-life celebrations, and thought of as less somber occasions, focusing on the individual who passed and his or her contributions to the world. You can discuss the type of service desired, if donations should be made to a charity in lieu of flowers, and if he or she would rather be buried or cremated, and where he or she would like the final resting place to be.
Examine the House
Once your loved one passes, it is important to think about selling his or her home. This might be part of the final wishes, or it may be necessary in order to cover debts that were left behind. Prior to their passing, it might be helpful to take a look at the current value of the home and assess what needs to be done.
You'll likely need to do some upkeep to get it ready for the market, especially if the house is older. Make a point to check for areas like windows that need to be sealed due to cracks or leaking pipes, especially in the bathroom. Not fixing these problem areas can be a turn-off to potential buyers.
You’ll also need to clear out and declutter the home in preparation for sale. If you plan to keep or store any of your loved one’s belongings, consider hiring local movers. You’ll want to check out top-rated professionals that fit your needs and budget.
Find Out What Medical Expenses Are Covered
Find out what type of insurance your loved one has, and what exactly is covered. Depending on if he or she had extensive treatments prior to being diagnosed as terminal, there might be significant bills left behind. If that person is in the end-of-life stages, find out about hospice care, if this wasn't discussed already.
Have a Support Network
Once your loved one has been diagnosed, it can be helpful to rally family and close friends together in preparation for passing. This gives everyone a chance to talk, visit, and even say goodbye to their loved one, and lean on one another for support after the individual passes. According to experts, it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions during this time, from anger and rage to sadness and depression or even relief. These are normal feelings, but having others to talk about the situation with can ease the grief.
Dealing with a loved one's end-of-life situation can be difficult. Knowing how to proceed forward can help you understand what to expect.
When it comes to managing your emotions during such a difficult time, it can help to know that others have been where you are. Both Chris and DeLayne Haga have recounted their experiences during Chris’s battle with lung cancer. You can read more about their journeys in “Cancer on Two Wheels,” and “His Love Carries Me.”
For additional tips from Haga Books of Faith on this subject, go to: Caregiver Tips: Part 7 - Planning Ahead for Terminal Patients.