End of life
When someone dies, especially if you are next of kin and/or an executor
or have power of attorney, you are usually in shock. Nevertheless, there are plenty of practical tasks to be done. Here's a list of things you may need to do, which will hopefully help you through this difficult time.
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Life Legacies and Life Journeys
Life has becoming a little less certain in 2020. Many of us know people who have caught Covid and within days they are in hospital, on a ventilator or even dead. It’s dangerous to think “It won’t happen to me!” It’s a helpful prompt to remind us just how valuable life is and to make the most of it. We want as few regrets as possible as our earthly life draws to a close, whether that turns out to be in a few weeks or several decades away. So here are five exercises to help you reflect on your life and where it’s heading.
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It’s quite common that someone who knows they are approaching the end of their life has things they’d like to talk about. However there is sometimes a “conspiracy of silence” and it’s difficult to raise the subject. This sheet could act as an ice breaker or be used by the person approaching the end of their life, a family member, friend or by someone outside the family who is visiting in a caring role. I originally wrote it for a longstanding friend who knew he didn't have long to live.
Choosing a care or nursing home can be a challenging and emotionally highly charged task, particularly if you have a relative who is reluctant to leave their own home but needs to. Here’s a list of things to consider when making a choice, to help you and your loved one focus on the practicalities required and hopefully not get too overwhelmed by the emotional aspects of this big change. I have personally chosen care and nursing homes for elderly relatives on three occasions.
Many people visiting sick or elderly relatives, friends or neighbours (including those with dementia) in a hospital, hospice, nursing home or care home are unsure what to do and say. Here are some suggestions to help you…
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