When I was a teenager, I couldn’t decide what career path I wanted to pursue after my high school graduation. While I wanted to earn a comfortable living, money wasn’t the only factor guiding my decision. I also desired to have a job that would allow me to help others in some way. If you’re searching for a rewarding career, consider counseling. Counselors have the opportunity to help people solve complicated problems on a daily basis. For instance, as a counselor, you might help a couple resolve marriage issues, aid a teenager battling an eating disorder, or assist an adult dealing with depression. I didn't end up becoming a counselor, but on this blog, I hope you will discover some of the most interesting aspects of being a counselor.
If you have a loved one that is in hospice, you know that he or she is going to die soon, and you want him or her to be as comfortable as possible. However, your children might not fully understand what hospice is and might cheerfully talk to your loved one about he or she is going to "get better soon." This could be very difficult for your loved one to hear, and he or she might ask you to talk to your children about hospice so that they don't make those remarks in the future. Here are some tips for explaining hospice to your children.
1. Explain That It's for People Who Won't Get Better
The first thing that you have to do is explain that hospice is for people who won't get better. This can be difficult for you because it will essentially mean that you have to tell your children that your loved one is not going to get better and that there is nothing that anyone can do to help. Your children will likely be very sad about this. Be prepared to deal with tears and to answer questions about general mortality. Consider having your child's favorite food or toy nearby in order to help comfort him or her afterward.
2. Explain Why Your Loved One Can't Come Home
Your child might then be angry and exclaim that if your loved one is not going to get better, than he or she should come home. You have likely already considered how much money it would cost to get the same end-of-life care in your own home and may have decided that hospice is going to be more comfortable for your loved one. Explain to your child what hospice is for. Explain that hospice is a place where your loved one can get the medicine that he or she needs to not feel bad while he or she is still alive and the care that he or she needs to be comfortable. Explain that you cannot provide this medicine or this care.
3. Help Your Child Prepare
Finally, help your child deal with the idea of hospice by allowing him or her to make some minor changes to the location. Ask if he or she wants to draw pictures of your house or wherever he or she would prefer your loved one to be. Then, hang those pictures up in your loved one's room. This can allow your child to feel as though he or she has some control over the situation and will help him or her feel better.
For more information, talk to a company that specializes in hospice, such as Twin Lakes Hospice Inc.
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