Four Common Fears About Death

Four Common Fears About Death

By December 4, 2014Uncategorized

Dying is something everyone experiences but nobody wants to talk about. Don’t let fear get in the way of having these important conversations with your family. It’s normal to feel anxious about discussing end-of-life issues, but having an open discussion with your loved ones will likely give your family a sense of peace that far outweighs any apprehension you feel about starting the conversation.

By giving voice to your fears, you are providing your family with the tools to help you overcome them. Here are four of the most common fears about dying and ways to overcome them.

  1. I don’t want feeding tubes and ventilators keeping me alive.

How to prevent it: Create a living will. Living wills spell out in detail your treatment preferences in the event you are unable to make those decisions yourself. The requirements for living wills vary from state to state, so you should also consider having a lawyer assist with this. Many lawyers will prepare a living will as part of an estate planning package.

 

  1. I don’t want to end up in a nursing home or die in a hospital.

How to prevent it: Look into other options while you can. There are many options for end-of-life care besides hospitals and nursing homes. Make sure you have a conversation with your family about your wishes and look into home care options together so your decision is already made when the time comes.

 

  1. What if I get dementia and can no longer make my own decisions?

What to do about it: Designate a trusted person with power of attorney. This person acts on your behalf in the event you are no longer able to advocate for yourself, providing peace of mind that your care wishes will be met regardless of your mental acuity.

 

  1. I don’t want to lose my independence.

How to prevent it: Look into the home care options available, like Approved Home Health. Aides from Approved Home Health can assist with the activities of daily living, allowing you to continue living independently at home. Call us today at 941-870-8740 for a complimentary nursing evaluation.