How to Provide Support for Someone Who is Terminally Ill

There is no easy way to deal with terminal illness. People are often at a loss for words when trying to comfort a friend or relative with a terminal illness. Some people avoid contact with a terminally ill person because they feel uncomfortable and helpless. There are ways that you can provide support for someone who is terminally ill while coming to terms with the situation yourself.

Instructions

How to Provide Support for Someone Who is Terminally Ill

• 1

  Be there and be yourself. The most important way that you can offer support for someone who is terminally ill is by being there for that person. Make yourself available to talk, listen or just sit with the person. It is important to be yourself. The ill person realizes that you are uncomfortable. He understands that the situation is awkward for you. Just relax and be you.

• 2

  Enjoy your time together and make the best of it. If the terminally ill person can move, engage in activities that he/ enjoys. Help make the time he has left pleasant in whatever small way you can.

• 3

  Help the terminally ill person get his affairs in order if it has not already been done. People often have certain requests regarding funeral arrangements, burial and/or distribution of assets. Retain legal counsel to get everything in proper order and see that the terminally ill individual's wishes are carried out.

• 4

  Help the person to focus on living rather than dying. Once the legal documentation has been taken care of, turn the focus from the future to the present. Encourage him to live for the moment rather than worrying about the future.

• 5

  Realize that death is an integral part of the cycle of life. It's not easy to deal with terminal illness. Those offering support to a terminally ill person may find themselves struggling with feelings of anger, despair, helplessness, depression and other emotionally charged feelings. Coming to terms with the inevitability of the life cycle is something everyone must eventually do.