“Part of the experience of death is finding ways to accept what has happened, express what we are feeling, and find ways to move on. We, as adults, need to find ways to help our children to do this too.”
“How can we aim for balanced and boundaried? How can we keep our hearts open – and actively engaged – while remaining steady in the face of another’s hardship? It’s useful to remember to take it in without taking it on.”
“You need to understand that you should not be afraid of dying. Be afraid of not living your life, of mindlessly moving from day to day …”
“Many agencies, home health providers, churches, and physicians are reluctant to recommend services that address end of life issues. It is sad and confusing why anyone would not give their friends, clients, or customers the guidance and comfort that trained professionals can offer.”
“Does the contract allow you to have access to your own doctors? What is the facility’s position on VSED? If you enter hospice, will they commit to providing adequate pain relief? If you live in a state with MAiD, will the facility cooperate?”
“Imagine you are sitting in a serene field with your loved one. The sun is shining and you feel happy. Then imagine later that day, being told that your loved one is ill or worse, the condition is life-limiting. The future of that morning suddenly has a very different outlook, and your priorities understandably change, with a re-prioritization of both your physical and emotional world.”
“Many of the individuals around the bedside barely know each other, and this becomes an environment of misinformation, mistrust, and hidden agendas about substantial financial and estate issues … as ex-wives and ex-husbands, half siblings who never knew each other, long-time same-sex partners (surprise, who knew?), in-laws, out-laws show up at the bedside.” — Dr. Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
“One of the most common types of stories we hear about caregiving at The Conversation Project is the ‘seagull effect.’ I’ve been teaching others about this. Yet this past year, it hit me like a brick … I am the seagull!”
“Proponents of this approach emphasize that it’s not about circumventing the grieving process but rather providing a complementary avenue for healing. Grief doesn’t adhere to a linear timeline, and there’s no universally ‘right’ way to grieve.”
“One of our team nurses shared that her only training on caring for the dying involved a lecture from a funeral home manager.”