Facing the end of life is a complex and incredibly personal situation. People nearing the end of life may seem to exhibit behaviors or emotional reactions that make the people who love them feel as if they’re trying to hold on longer. Understanding what’s going on and what contributes to that desire to hold on helps family members offer the care and comfort they want their family members to have. End of life care services supports family members and people near the end of life in a variety of different ways that are essential at this difficult time.
What Does it Mean for People to “Hold On”?
Sometimes people who are dealing with a life-limiting condition decline for a long time and then seem to rally a bit. Family members often interpret this as holding on, even when the person is in a fragile state of health. This can make family members feel as if everyone is stuck in some sort of waiting mode, not knowing when or if anything is going to change.
Emotional Reasons People Hold On
People who are near the end of life may hold on due to unresolved emotional concerns. They may want to talk to or reconcile with specific people who are important to them, for instance. They could also be experiencing fear or anxiety about what happens next and what death might mean for them. Some seniors near the end of life also worry about the people they love that they’re leaving behind. They may worry about whether those people will be okay afterward.
Physical Reasons People Hold On
The physical body goes through a variety of different changes as it shuts down near the end of life. Time and consciousness are sometimes different for the person near the end of life. They may also be experiencing discomfort or pain that they can’t describe or resolve alone. End of life care providers are trained to recognize pain and discomfort, even in patients who aren’t able to talk. They work to offer as much comfort as possible to make this stage of life easier.
Spritual Beliefs
Even people who aren’t very religious may have spiritual beliefs and beliefs about death that can affect their desire to let go or hold on. Some people feel as if they still have something that they need to do before they can pass away, for instance. Talking with spiritual and religious counselors can help them to reconcile what is happening and feel more fulfilled about what is happening.
How Does End of Life Care Help?
End of life care offers holistic care to patients who are near the end of life. They’re able to manage difficult symptoms that might not have been manageable when treatments were still curative. The goal is to keep patients as comfortable as possible and help them to have what they need as they edge closer to the end of life. This means different things for each patient, and end of life care providers focus on meeting those needs even as they change.
The end of life is a difficult time for the entire family. The loss is real and difficult to accept at times, but end of life care can be there to keep comfort at the forefront and ensure that patients have whatever they need for as long as they need it.
If you or your aging loved one could benefit from End of Life Care Services in Holly Hill SC, contact the caring staff at Grove Park Hospice, at (803)536-6644.
Providing Hospice & Palliative Care in Orangeburg, Bamberg, & Calhoun Counties.
Our team provides care tailored to each patient and family’s individual needs and preferences. Our commitment to promoting comfort and dignity to persons living with a life‐limiting illness is demonstrated daily by our caring team of professionals and volunteers. Grove Park Hospice provides pain management and symptom control, allowing families to focus on what matters most. Our team of nurses certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains and volunteers spend quality time with patients, ensuring they are comfortable and at peace.
Choosing Grove Park Hospice means choosing to live life to its fullest. We focus on enhancing quality of life by offering an array of services to our patients and their families.
- Ways Palliative Care Helps Late-stage Parkinson’s Disease Patients - August 22, 2024
- Grove Park Hospice – “Angels on Earth” - August 13, 2024
- How End of Life Care Can Help When Close to Death - August 8, 2024
