Planning Ahead
When someone is nearing the end of life they may want to consider and plan how they will be looked after at this time.
It’s not morbid to think ahead and wonder what decisions you will be faced with for the person you are caring for. There are steps you can take to ensure loved ones’ wishes are put first.
This is known as an Advance Care Plan (sometimes called a Statement of Wishes). Locally we call it My Future Care Plan
Further Support
North East Lincolnshire End of Life Care website
Dying Matters has information on talking about dying
Age UK: Advance decisions, advance statements and living wills
Alzheimer’s Society: What is an advance statement?
Cancer Research UK: Advance care planning
Compassion in Dying: Making decisions and planning your care
Hospice Care
If the person you are looking after is nearing the end of their life, it may be recommended that they move to a hospice. A hospice can offer a wide range of supportive care that focuses not just on medical needs but on emotional wellbeing and support as well, both for the person being looked after, and for Carers and family members.
You can find our more at Hospice UK
When someone dies
Sharing the news that your loved one has died is one of the most difficult and immediate responsibilities you will have, whilst having to deal with the feelings and emotions of your own loss.
Where do you start? Make a list and of everybody you need to tell. Not only will this make it easier to keep track of what you have done, but you may be able to share some of the responsibility with friends or family. This list can help you.
Further Support
When caring changes or ends
When you’ve been caring for your family member or friend, it may have become the key focus of your life. When your role as a Carer changes – whether the person you care for moves into residential care or dies – you may be surprised at how big an adjustment it can be. We are still here to support you.
Having more time to yourself may give you the opportunity for a much needed rest, but it can also leave you feeling lost. Some people find that once they are no longer caring, the physical and emotional exhaustion catches up with them and they may feel unwell for a while.
Bereavement
The loss of the person you have dedicated your life to can be overwhelming. How do you process what has happened? What are you now if you’re no longer a Carer? How do you admit that you’re lonely? Everyone’s experience of loss and grief are different.
We are here to listen, so please contact us.
You can call Samaritans on 116 123 or the Cruse Bereavement Helpline on 0808 808 1677.
The Way Forward
The end of your caring role may take some time to adjust to, but there is life after caring. Take time for yourself.
When you are ready you could benefit from the support of other former carers with The Way Forward Groups.
Or you may want to volunteer for us or another local organisation. You might want to learn something new or even look for paid work.
Find out what’s on in your community and get involved.
Further Support
Learning for Living from Carers UK is an e-learning programme has been set up to help carers identify the unique skill set they’ve gained from their experience of caring. Once recognised, these transferable skills can add significant value to the work setting or local community. The course features a range of modules covering everything from communicating well to effective goal setting. See www.learning4living.org
If you haven’t been in work for a while the National Careers Service has a skills health check you can use to see what kind of job might suit you
Getting back into employment form Carers UK
Adult Education & Community Learning North Lincolnshire
Community Learning Centres Grimsby
Workers Educational Association