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Rayna Neises, ACC, host, and Aly Neises, RN, cohost, reflect on the conversation with Karen Hafner who, along with her sister, cared for their father. Their family, like many, had a caregiving journey that lasted over several years, but then ended after a quick decline. Guidance for this final part of the caregiving journey is provided:
- When on a long caregiving journey, the terminal diagnosis can easily be forgotten, and the caregiver/family can be shocked when the end arrives.
- While in the day to day, caregivers can be lost in the details individually and not see the overall picture of the situation.
- Sometimes the patient will be ready to move to the next step before the family which makes the end even more difficult to accept.
- Hospice is the very end of the journey; regardless of the time in that phase, it is at the end . . . It is when care transitions from fighting to heal and get better to comfort and release.
- Hospice nurses help guide families and loved ones; they help the patient to die with dignity and with peace.
- Listen to your loved one’s cue, of which not all are physical; Watch for the light to be gone.
- We do not know how long the journey will be or even exactly where we are at on the journey but being aware of the signs of the end can be helpful.
- The end, letting go and saying goodbye, is part of the caregiving journey and deserves some thought now even though it is difficult.
