Starting the Conversation - Dying Matters
Published: 08/05/2024
Did you know that discussing end-of-life wishes can greatly ease the emotional burden on families?
Did you know that discussing end-of-life wishes can greatly ease the emotional burden on families? This week, we're sharing tips on how to start these crucial conversations.
Choose the Right Moment: Recommend finding a quiet, private time when both parties feel calm and undistracted. It might be at home over a cup of tea or during a relaxed moment.
Start with Your Feelings: Encourage the conversation starter to express their own feelings about the importance of discussing end-of-life wishes. For example, they might start with, "I've been thinking about how important it is to understand each other's wishes for the future."
Use a Conversation Starter: Suggest using materials like a relevant article, a story from a friend, or even a movie that touched on end-of-life issues as a natural lead-in to the discussion.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Provide examples of questions to help guide the conversation, such as, "How do you feel about planning ahead for medical care in the future?" or "What matters most to you if you were ever unable to speak for yourself?"
Be Patient and Listen: Emphasize the importance of listening actively and giving space for the other person to express their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Provide Assurance: Remind them it’s okay if the conversation feels difficult or if it doesn't cover everything at once. It's a starting point that can be revisited over time.
Document the Discussion: Encourage taking notes or even formally documenting preferences discussed during the conversation through living wills or care directives, suggesting follow-up with legal or medical professionals if necessary.
Offer Resources and Support: Include links or references to resources where they can find more information or get professional guidance. This could be websites, local organizations, or services like those provided by Bluebird Care.
Acknowledge the Emotional Aspect: Acknowledge that these discussions can be emotional and suggest considering support from counselling services if the process stirs up strong feelings.
Follow Up: Encourage revisiting the conversation periodically as circumstances and preferences might change, making it a part of ongoing dialogue about health and wellbeing.
