To take on these new practical and emotional roles, family members must often learn new skills, and they may need professional support. RECEIVING CARE AND SUPPORT Families who are caring for someone who is dying need care and support to help them manage their own worries and concerns, such as: • Is their loved one receiving the best nursing and medical care? • Is it OK to leave the dying person alone?
To help families cope, volunteers must be to ready to respond to a variety of emotional responses – sorrow, anger, guilt, resentment - while remaining supportive and non- judgmental.
• What will happen when he/she dies? • How will I ever survive without my loved one?
It is during this time that family members will begin to feel the impending loss of their loved one. Sadness, depression, anxiety and guilt – can all come to the surface. This is known as anticipatory grief – a period of grieving that starts before the person actually dies. This process is complicated by the fact that not all family members will experience the same emotions at the same time. In addition to their concern about the person who is dying, family members will experience a wide variety of emotional, social, economic and sometimes physical changes and difficulties. They will likely be very tired and worried, and face pressures trying to balance their other responsibilities (e.g. work, caring for other family members) with caring for the person who is dying. Some may begin to feel trapped in their role as a caregiver, and start to resent the situation and the person. These feelings – the impact of living with someone who is dying on the life and health of family members -- are often described as caregiver burden . A family’s ability to cope with caregiver burden depends on many factors, including their coping skills and social support networks. 3. WHEN FAMILIES DON’T WORK The dramatic changes that can occur in family systems when someone is dying are not always smooth. Family members may take advantage of the turmoil to pursue longstanding issues. Cooperation among family caregivers can be strained and break down. Resentment, anger and frustration can all surface.
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