People react in different ways when they learn that they are terminal ill. There’s no right or wrong way to respond to this knowledge. But it can be easier for you to cope if you follow some proven strategies (from experiments and suggestions from other terminally ill persons) that can help you cope with end-of-life situations.
It is normal for you to feel a wide range of emotions during this period. Hillside Hospice has several experts in hospice care, so it should come as no surprise that they know the best ways to live with terminal diseases. Below are some tips to help you.
- Learn More About Your Illness
Being diagnosed with an incurable disease can be a frightening experience both for the patient and their loved ones. Finding out more about your condition can help reduce anxiety since we fear less what we understand.
- Set Priorities
Try to prioritize things that are important to you. You should do this since you know yourself best, but you can discuss it with your loved ones and healthcare providers. Setting priorities can help you finish the things that are important to you. When setting priorities, it is a good idea to write them down. Seeing your plans in writing can help you in choosing what’s important.
- Take Things One Step At A Time
It can be overwhelming to know that you have a terminal disease because there will be many things you wish to do. By dividing your activities into small bits, you can easily tackle one activity at a time. It also helps you to set your priorities easily.
- Communicate With Others
Speaking about death might evoke a feeling of abandonment because it suggests that you’ve given up on living. Talking with others might seem counterintuitive, but several terminally ill patients and experts have declared that it helps relieve the stress you might feel.
You can talk with loved ones about your plans and what they should do when you’re gone. You can comfort them and also get comfort in return. You can also connect with similarly affected people and learn how they cope. This is much better than keeping everything to yourself.
- Join Support Networks
In the same way that communication helps release the burden of preparing for end-of-life situations, support groups or networks for the terminally ill bond you with people with similar afflictions. By interacting with others in similar situations, you get a release from tension and genuine help.
- Get Spiritual Support
A patient’s spirituality might change when living with a terminal illness. There might be an increase in the search for the meaning of life, spiritual practice or religion might become more important, or death and disease can be viewed in new ways. Getting spiritual support can give you a purpose and help you consider your condition in a positive light.
- Handle Your Paperwork
Sooner or later, you have to make arrangements for what happens before and after you’re gone. You can decide whether you want to spend the rest of your days at home or in a caregiving facility or preplan your funeral. You should have a living will or a proxy that will make health decisions for you in case you become unable to do so. It would be best if you also worked on your will, insurance, and other legalities such as organ donation. There’s no fixed time to do this, but if done early, it gives a sense of accomplishment and protects against unforeseen circumstances.
Our specialists at Hillside Hospice have great expertise and years of experience in providing comprehensive healthcare for terminally ill people. They have helped many people cope with the stresses of this period with several programs and services that make passage as easy as possible. Communication and a positive outlook on life are very effective in coping with stress, and at Hillside Hospice, we make it easier for you.
