The 411 on End of Life Care

Things to consider when a loved one is dying.

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What You Need to Know - Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s recent hospitalizations and ailing health the past months have shed light on a topic that we rarely speak about: end of life care. Read more about your options when a loved one’s life is nearing its end. —Kellee Terrell(Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images/ Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

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What Is End of Life Care? - End of life care is care that “provides physical, mental, and emotional comfort, as well as social support, to people who are living with and dying of advanced illness,” writes the National Institute on Cancer. (Photo: Blend Images/GettyImages) 

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Know Their Wishes - Before your loved one is incapacitated or unable to speak, it’s important to know how they want to pass and what measures they want taken. It’s also important to have it all in writing, so that no on can dispute it. This will lead to less stress for your family in the end.  (Photo: GettyImages) 

How Is Dementia Different? - Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not always the same thing. Dementia is not a disease — it’s a term that describes a series of symptoms. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. Another form is vascular dementia, which usually happens after a stroke and impairs the arteries and blood flow from the heart to the brain.  (Photo: LWA/GettyImages)

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Hospice Care - Hospice care is care given to those who have six months or less to live. This kind of care is a combination of medical, psychological and spiritual support that aims at controlling pain, providing comfort and allowing for someone to die with dignity. (Photo: LWA/GettyImages)

Home Care - Some people prefer to die at home, which means that someone in the home has to serve as the primary care giver — bathing, giving medications, monitoring pain, etc. Some people who have home care do have nurses come in the home to help as well. (Photo: Peter Essick/ GettyImages)

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Home Care - Some people prefer to die at home, which means that someone in the home has to serve as the primary care giver — bathing, giving medications, monitoring pain, etc. Some people who have home care do have nurses come in the home to help as well. (Photo: Peter Essick/ GettyImages)

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In-Patient Care - Some prefer to spend the final chapter of their lives in a facility with round the clock care in a nursing home. Hospice care can also be part of this care as well, with hospice workers coming in to help.  

Photo By Photo: Getty Images/Blend Images

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Do Not Resuscitate Order - Also referred to as “DNR,” do-not-resuscitate is a medical order written by a doctor, but decided by the one who is sick that if their heart fails to not use any means to help — no CPR other means of emergency life saving care. (Photo: GettyImages) 

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Spirituality Is Key - With someone’s life coming to an end, talking about spirituality, God and the afterlife may definitely be a topic that comes up. Don’t pressure someone to talk about it, but be open to having these conversations with your loved ones. (Photo: Getty Images/Flickr RF)

Relax, Relate, Release - While the holidays are about family, being around them can bring a lot of stress, which can lend to overeating and relying on liquor to calm you down. Give yourself some quiet time away from other people, focus on yourself and don’t let other people stress you out.(Photo: GettyImages)

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Don’t Forget About You - Being a caregiver to someone who is sick or just having a loved one who is one the verge of passing can bring on a lot of stress and depression. Make sure that you get the help that you need whether through your church, counselor or therapist. (Photo: GettyImages)

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Say the Things You Need to Say - Losing someone you love to an illness is one of the most difficult things that we go through. Use the time that you have with your loved one wisely, appreciate them while they are here. Focus on the good times that you had with them and make sure to let them know that you loved them fiercely. (Photo: Blend Images/GettyImages)