It seems we, as a society are reluctant to talk about death and dying. We tend to fear it and prefer to focus on defying it, despite the fact that we will all experience it – and as our population is ageing, it is even more relevant to discuss death and dying.

Death is a foregone conclusion… but let’s talk about what makes a ‘good death’ and whether in Home Care is a better alternative to a Nursing Home or hospital care during this sensitive time.

Firstly, it is important for those caring for a Loved One, parent or Elder to know that they are not expected to provide End of Life care alone. Daughterly Care Caregivers have been able to support clients with in Home Care through both, Palliative Care and End of Life Care alongside the family, the Community Palliative Doctors and Nurses, the family Doctor and spiritual or religious support people.

Our Caregivers believe that, although death is different for everyone, there are ways to minimise the stress and anxiety that can surround this time in a person’s life, and that it is possible to experience a ‘good death’.

Elders prefer to die at home palliative care

Here are some of those ways:

Advanced Care Plan

Having an Advanced Care Plan^ or Care Directive enables you to have control of your health care now and into the future. It is especially relevant near the End of Life, which means your specific treatment as well as your goals, values and beliefs are known. If they are known then they can be respected by health providers and those closest to you, including your family and Loved One.

Nominate someone you trust to represent you when you can no longer make decisions for yourself. An Enduring Guardian can legally make care and accommodation decisions on your behalf, by following your Advance Care Plan. An Enduring Power of Attorney to manage your money can make financial decisions for you.

Pain Management

Watching a Loved One dying is hard but it can be worse if you think they are dying in pain. Fortunately, pain can be controlled with various drugs and can be managed by Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and visiting Doctors. Morphine is most commonly used and is excellent. It blocks most pain and helps with breathing difficulties while giving a slight euphoria [a feeling of happiness or of having no worries].

Loved Ones close at hand

Many people are comforted by having family and Loved Ones close at hand at this stage of their lives. In Home End of Life Care provides the flexibility to each individual’s needs when it comes to family members and visiting friends.

Dying with Dignity

Did you know that 70% of people prefer to die at home with dignity, rather than in a Nursing Home or hospital, yet only around 14% actually do?*

Dying at home is more comfortable, pain free and importantly, dignified. Most Australians state their least preferred places to die would be in a hospital bed or a nursing home. Whether you are a patient or a Carer, the last thing you want is a lot of different people around with whom you are unfamiliar. Dying at home provides security and peace of mind that you or your Loved One are being cared for by people you already feel comfortable with and trust.

Taking care of the Carer

Daughterly Care Caregivers know that ‘caring for the Carer’ is also important to a peaceful and good death. Even with all the arrangements in place, this is a highly emotional and sensitive time so they ensure the Carer’s needs are looked after as well.

This can also include Respite Care – allowing the Carer time to themselves for a brief period so they can return to their Loved One re-energised and better able to care for them through this emotional period. It could also include assisting the Carer with other tasks such as cooking meals for the family, taking the dog for a walk, collecting mail from a post box or grocery shopping.

A peaceful passing with no pain.

Our Palliative Live in Care client, Mr M had just passed away with Daughterly Care’s Caregiver, Margaret caring for him. Margaret said, Mr M had asked for eggs and toast for tea, which he ate without assistance. He said, he was in no pain. The family had all been to visit and had said their goodbyes for the day. Mr M had been conversing with Margaret and was in good spirits.

Margaret had just finished tending to Mr M and went out of his room for a few moments when his son came in and asked if his dad had been making breathing noises. Margaret replied, “No” and they walked back into his room to find that his father had just passed away peacefully.

After Margaret had hugged all the family and finished her duties, another son, James offered to carry her bags out to her car. On the way to the car, James told Margaret that he was extremely impressed with Daughterly Care’s Palliative Care services and thanked her for all she had done for his father and their family.

End of Life Care attends to ‘whole of person care’ as an individual faces the end of their life. Our wonderful Nurses and Caregivers are here to help provide End of Life Care. It is our privilege to assist during this time so give us a ring to discuss how we can help you on (02) 9970 7333.

If you have had experience with caring for someone through their End of Life, do you have any suggestions to enable a ‘good death’?

Please let us know in the comments area below so the knowledge can be shared.