As an adult child, you and your parent have had many conversations over the years that have probably ended with the words, “I love you.” However, when mom or dad is at the ending stages of life, you may feel like you just have not said those three words enough or placed enough meaning and emotion into them. Not only are you questioning yourself, but you fear your parent will die before you resolve the manner in which you will say your last goodbye.
How Caregivers Can Provide Support
Sometimes, a home health aide can be your liaison between you and your mother or father in these cases. Unlike the doctors and nurses, this particular person is your parent’s connection to daily life. An caregiver is a professional who provides support through compassion and understanding, not just for the elderly but to their family members as well. They may be able to provide insight about the nagging questions you have about addressing your loved one’s situation.
Home health aides advise not discussing the obvious only creates more pain. Your parent recognizes they are dying. Spend this time in minutes, days, weeks, or more living life together while you can. It’s ok to laugh and cry together and ask the hard questions. Learn more about mom or dad’s final wishes, and respect and resolve the final goodbye.
To build a spiritual link with your parent, choose a location, a song, or an item that brings back memories. Your parent can visualize you visiting that spot, holding that object, listening to that song, or thinking of an individual subject to bring them back to you.
How to say goodbye is deeply personal and different for everyone. Sometimes it’s not simply goodbye, it’s “until we meet again.”
Contact Us
If you don’t yet have a caregiver, they can some much needed hospice care assistance. Everything from medication reminders to personal care and light housekeeping, our caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care can allow you to spend as much time as possible with your loved one in their final moments.
Give us a call at (239) 337-4263 to schedule a free consultation.
