Cancer: End-of-Life Issues for the Caregiver

Not everyone who has cancer succumbs to the disease. In fact, there are nearly 9 million cancer survivors living in the United States today. However, if your loved one's cancer cannot be cured or controlled with treatment, then planning for how you and your loved one will handle the last stages of the disease can ease the burden for both of you. Ideally, you should make these decisions together, while your loved one is well enough to participate. Doing so can help give your loved one a sense of control over his or her future and relieve you from having to make difficult decisions on your own.

Hospice care: Talk with your loved one about hospice care and advanced directives. Hospice care focuses on providing people whose illness can't be cured or controlled with treatment with the most dignified, pain-free existence possible in their last stage of life. Advance directives are instructions on what kind of care your loved one wishes to receive when he or she becomes unable to make medical decisions.

Financial and legal issues: You and your loved one may wish to have an accountant or lawyer help you sort through financial and legal issues. You can review things such as your loved one's insurance policy, finances and his or her will.

Funeral arrangements: Perhaps the most difficult part of this process is planning your loved one's funeral. Talk with your loved one about his or her preferences (for example, burial vs. cremation) in relation to your budget. Ask your loved one how he or she wants the service to be conducted. For example, you may want to discuss things such as what hymns or readings to include in the ceremony and whom your loved one wants to have as his or her pallbearers. Don't feel that any detail is too small to discuss. When selecting a funeral provider, be sure to compare prices, services and payment options. It will be easier to do this sooner rather than later.