When a loved one reaches the end of their life, it can be difficult to talk or think about a plan for them. However, a plan is essential not only for their ultimate wellbeing, but yours too.

What is end-of-life care?

While there is no set definition or interval for what end of life care is, we tend to use two different distinctions in the medical field: palliative care and hospice care.

Palliative care is medical care given to an individual with an illness in order to improve their quality of life. This type of care can be beneficial at any stage of illness and is the most beneficial the earlier it is provided.

Hospice care is a combination of comfort care and symptom relief given to an individual approaching death with usually 6 months or less to live. This kind of treatment is used when there is no treatment for the illness, the treatment is not working, or the patient has decided to stop the treatment they’ve previously received. During hospice care, the goal is not to be cured, but rather to provide symptom relief for the person suffering.

Why is it important to have an end-of-life plan?

The end-of-life plan:

• Gives the patient a sense of autonomy because they get to help choose the plan for their life
• Increases patient satisfaction and doctor/patient concordance
• Lessens the potential for patient and family members to experience stress, depression, complicated grief, PTSD, guilt, and regret
• Decreases frequency of useless tests and treatments and increases likelihood of pain management

What practical steps should be taken to create an end-of-life plan?

Since every person and situation is unique, each course of action will be different. The key is that the patient is ready to talk, be informed, and be involved in their plan. Once they are ready:

• Act by putting together a medical team consisting of doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionists, etc. with their input
• Explore your options and ask questions about what kind of care is needed and how it may fluctuate
• Discuss your loved one’s wishes so that you can help carry them out
• Seek help from a professional to process the information, decisions, and emotions associated with a serious and/or terminal illness

How does faith impact end-of-life care?

At the end-of-life stage, faith will inevitably be incorporated into the discussions and decisions while planning.

While these conversations can be difficult to have, the Bible provides lots of guidance and comfort on these topics. In Philippians 1:19-26, Paul says, “to live is Christ to die is gain”, meaning God’s glory is our ultimate gain; our lives here on earth are temporary, and where we truly belong is with Christ. In John 21:18-19 we see the same thing: “But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go. Jesus said this to let him know by which kind of death he would glorify God.” While the fear of death can be paralyzing, the truth of Christ is freeing; when we die, we will be free from suffering and at peace with Christ.

While the end-of-life stage of a loved one can be difficult to face, know that you don’t have to do it alone. Rest in knowing that there is a time for everything in this life, and when we accept what we cannot control, we make room for a peace that surpasses our own understanding.

References

Brighton, L. J., & Bristowe, K. (2016). Communication in palliative care: Talking about the end of life, before the end of life. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 92(1090), 466–470. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133368

Davis, W. C. (2014). Review of The 1988 pca report on heroic measures at the end of life.

Izumi, S. (Seiko), Nagae, H., Sakurai, C., & Imamura, E. (2012). Defining end-of-life care from perspectives of nursing ethics. Nursing Ethics, 19(5), 608–618. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733011436205

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). What are palliative care and Hospice Care?. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care

Yamaguchi, T., Maeda, I., Hatano, Y., Mori, M., Shima, Y., Tsuneto, S., Kizawa, Y., Morita, T., Yamaguchi, T., Aoyama, M., & Miyashita, M. (2017). Effects of end-of-life discussions on the mental health of bereaved family members and quality of patient death and care. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 54(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.03.008