Many people share the point of view that, “From the minute we are born we start out on a road to death.” But others do not believe that death has to be a terrible thing. Many experts assert that when someone close to us dies, we mourn more for ourselves than the deceased person. We mourn for the loss of that individual in our own lives and not what they are losing from their own life. Experts explain that when you love someone and lose them, you mourn out of fear of being left alone.
Fear of Uncertainty
Uncertainty and fear are common to those thinking about death. Many experts say that those two elements prevent people from discussing the topic openly and with candor. Most people think that death is associated with pain. So, they worry about what it’s going to feel like physically.
Patient Discussions
Patients and families may decide to discuss death openly. The conversation surrounding an 80 year-old patient may be very different than someone significantly younger. Many patients and families are driven to hospice care because of it’s core focus on symptom management which allow patients and families to live every day to the fullest during end-of-life. It is not uncommon for negative feelings such as guilt to enter into the conversation. However, open discourse will always lead to a healthier result than bottling up emotions and thoughts.
A Peaceful Death
Although we as a society do not like to discuss death and treat it as a taboo, many professionals within the hospice and palliative care communities believe in the idea of a peaceful and/or beautiful death. Unfortunately, many Americans will pass under negative conditions in unfamiliar settings such as ICUs. Hospice care allows for a patient to make their transition in a familiar setting surrounded by those they love.
Contact Harbor Light Hospice
End-of-life is a journey for both the patient and their families. Harbor Light Hospice provides compassionate hospice care services designed to cater to the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families. Although facing terminal illness is a sobering idea, the assistance of hospice can enhance overall quality of life – allowing you to live each day to the fullest. Contact Harbor Light Hospice today to learn more about our hospice care services.
