- Maintaining a purpose in life is critical–do not waste time. What am I doing today to accomplish goals?
- Patients know what is best for them many times. If it feels right, it is usually right.
- People need to do things their own way.
- Give the patient a sense of control. The disease already is in control. ”Do you feel like talking?
- The patient always knows how bad it is, yet are often treated with disrespect and indignity.
- We tend to die the way we live; how we have coped in the past is how we will react now.
- If the patient does not have access to these coping mechanisms, caregivers must provide them.
- For the patient to be able to talk to family about the disease gives a sense of control over the rest of one’s life.
- If you can do something in reference to the crisis, do it. If not, then do not worry and waste precious energy.
- The patient has the right to information; then it is their privilege as to what to do with it.
- From the patient (not from other sources where feasible):
- What do you want now (that the treatment is over)?
- From whom do you want it (fmd out who it is and provide the service)?
- When do you want it?
- Always ask what the patient wants.
- Assume nothing.
- Second guess no one.
- Do not be threatened by the presence of the dying patient. Dying is nothing more than taking turns.
Used by permission - American Academy of Bereavement
