End of Life Issues

1. music or radio
2. some people want to see a lot of visitors. my mother didn’t.
3. Your mother may not want to see some people. My mother mentioned 2. (actually i did allow 1 of them to visit)
4. some people believe they have the right to visit regardless of what you or nurses may say.

i had to tell a relative (indirectly) that if he woke up my mother again, i would call the sheriff, because my mother was decidedly annoyed or worse.

The number of visitors including nurses may be unexpectedly high. Hence, my mother got tired

5. whatever last wishes, I carried them out.

6. be aware of sedatives. nightmares may occur and its time for a sedative. i thought incorrectly that my mother was having a seizure.

7. nurses may be on call, but may not be calling back as soon as we like. so, i was grateful for what i knew ahead of time

8. the big one : i asked my nurses or assistants to come first thing in the morning and to come right in always. morning was a great choice.

9. pets or a room with a view are good.

10. commode. well, … might be a challenge.

11. vaseline or whatever the nurse recommends for chapped lips.

12. extra pillows of various sizes standing by may be useful

13. most visitors: suggest a limit of 15 minutes. but some might be staying an hour. you will be able to know and most people know too.

14. video on phone: recommended. a regret of mine.

15. discrete nightlights. you don’t want to trip over stuff. get 2-3, low low wattage . ( okay just 1. i had a lot of space to walk and 3 fit me).