Late Life Journey: Taking Care of Elders for Their Remaining Life

Care:

I've learned from experience that one of the best gifts you can offer to people in your life and to yourself is to be ready for challenging situations. We usually prepare for life's events on a welcome basis: picking a college, figuring out a job, organizing a wedding. Even so, most of us don't think much about being ready for death, even though it's a highly important occurrence. Additionally, there is a lot to arrange. It is not a good idea to start making sure everything is in order while one is dying or receiving medical care. It is preferable to begin early so that you may spend time with the person you love when they are unwell or about to pass away. It's possible that there are aspects of your life that require resolution. Perhaps you have something you'd like to write down or express to people in person. This might be an opportunity to consider what you want to leave behind—not something tangible, but a piece of yourself and your tales. Every day, you are creating your legacy.

Directive:

Advance directive consultation may make a difference, according to research, and those who use them to express their wishes are more likely to receive the treatment they want while they are dying than those who do not. Your own values are crucial while making treatment selections. Do you want to live the longest life possible? Or would you prioritize life quality as you perceive it? What happens if you require a ventilator due to a medical condition that renders you permanently unconscious or paralyzed? Do you think that would be desirable? The Advance Directive is a legally binding document created by the Oregon legislature that is spelled out in detail in Oregon Statute. It contains your detailed instructions on the kind of treatment you want or don't want in the event that you get ill and develop a disease that prevents you from speaking for yourself. When the time comes to needing an Advanced Directive to direct the medical personnel, it is crucial to give careful thought to who you designate as your Health Care Representative.

Conclusion:

A professional with training in offering counsel on end of life planning, information, emotional support, and psychological assistance. The term " death doula" is most frequently used to describe the assistance given during childbirth. Recently, people have also been referred to as doulas. offering assistance at the opposite extreme of the human experience—death. Another name for a death doula is a "EOLD," or end of life doula. An increasing number of people seeking a conscious death are turning to end-of-life doulas as a resource. Over the past 20 years, my profession and experience with older folks have encompassed every color of the rainbow. I have experience working as a volunteer for Zen Hospice, providing spiritual support to patients at Marin General Hospital, geriatric care manager in private practice, and working with Sage ElderCare Solutions in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to my work with LateLifeJourney, I am now the Vice Chair of the Ashland Senior Advisory Committee and I work with End of Life Choices Oregon.