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Click on the icon below to download and print a brief self-reflection activity sheet. The purpose of this tool is to help you think about what you have learned and to provide a space for you to document some of your thoughts and ideas for moving forward.
Healing can take many forms as life gradually returns to normal. You will embark on this new start in life at your own pace.
Here, we have two stories from care partners who are moving forward in life. They share their feelings about this step in their caregiving journey and their plans for the future.
Having completed her journey as a care partner, Edith Stein shares her plans for the future.
Having completed her journey as a care partner, Barb Campbell shares her plans for the future.
You now need to take care of yourself. Give yourself time to grieve. You have likely been grieving since the start of the disease and have experienced losses throughout. Be kind and patient with yourself. You may not be able to return to your previous routines quickly or feel as energized as before. Grief can affect all areas of your life—physical, social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual.
For some people, much of the grief is experienced before the death. Death itself brings a sense of closure, and healing has already begun. For others, the process of grief may take longer. Healing can take many forms for everyone as life gradually returns to normal. (Extracted from A Caregiver’s Guide: A Handbook About End-of-Life Care)
As you have time to reflect, consider your comfort and pleasure sources. Download and print a copy of the activity sheet below.
You may want to live life to the fullest to make up for the fact that the person you are caring for will not have the opportunity. Now is the time to turn those "someday I will thoughts" into achieved unforgettable experiences!
Download and print a copy of the "Bucket List" activity sheet below. List at least 10 things you plan to do in the future when your caregiving journey is over.
You will always remember the person who died. That person played an important part in your life so keep the memories alive in your heart and mind. Take comfort in knowing that by giving care in the final stages of life, you shared in the most loving act of support and comfort. (Extracted from A Caregiver’s Guide: A Handbook About End-of-Life Care)
Take some time now to think about the person you are caring for.
Download and print a copy of the activity sheet below.
Some care partners of a person with dementia find that they have grieved the loss of the person for so long that they don’t have strong feelings of grief when the person dies. Others do experience a range of emotional reactions. These may include:
For some people, it is normal to go through these feelings for a long time. If you have been looking after someone with dementia, you may feel a huge void in your life when the person has gone. Even if you are generally coping well, you may still find times when you feel especially sad or upset.
Funeral celebrant Verna Klimack discusses the grieving process and explores how anticipatory grief plays a role in the grieving journey.
The Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease: End of Life
Saying Farewell: A Guide to Assist you with the Death and Dying Process
Let’s Not Be Kidding Podcast with Gavin Crawford - Episode 7: Good Grief
All There Is Podcast with Anderson Cooper
This session includes the following parts:
Part 1: Grief and the Grieving Process
Part 2: Memories of a Lifetime
Part 3: Moving Forward
Part 4: Care Partner Reflections: Into the Future
Part 5: Learning to Balance
Part 6: Questions for Reflection
Summary
Work through the various parts in the session at your leisure. Move from one part to another at your own pace and in the order that makes sense to you, based on your own needs and interests.
At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar and type a specific question or topic to learn more.
It will take time for both of you to adjust to your new situation. Keep in mind that there is no correct number of times to visit the person during this period. For some people, the experience of being a care partner has been such that they need a "rest" during the first few weeks after moving. Others will want to go as often as possible during these first few weeks.
Whatever you decide during this period is the right decision for you. Go as often as you want and stay for as long as you feel comfortable. The important thing is to make each visit—no matter the length or the frequency—as full and rewarding as possible for both of you.
The person with dementia will also need time to adjust to the new environment. Try to be patient as they settle in. For some, this may take weeks or months; for others, it may be less. Communicate closely with the staff during this adjustment period.
Here, we have a conversation between care home director Marlene Collins and host Liana Shannon. Marlene shares her experiences working with families, staff and residents. Watch the video and learn about what to expect in the adjustment period and how care partners and staff can work together
As a care partner, you will experience a broad range of emotions once the person you have cared for has moved to a long-term care home. You may feel guilty. You may feel relieved that the responsibility of providing care is no longer solely on your shoulders. You may even experience second thoughts about your decision. These are all normal reactions.
Progression Series: Late Stage
Long-Term Care: Adjusting After the Move
If plans have not already been made, you will need to arrange financial and legal matters. Decide who will be responsible for these. If you know the person’s wishes, follow them. Suppose there are no definite instructions for financial and legal issues. In that case, the family must make decisions considering the person’s values, desires, and what they believe he would have wanted.
Your local Alzheimer Society can advise you on what matters will need to be addressed and the variety of professionals who can help with them.
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Lawyer Doris Bonora will explain what needs to be done legally and financially after death. You will learn what paperwork needs to be completed immediately, the duties of the Executor, what probate is, and how to wrap up the estate.
After you view the video, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
Saying Farewell: A Guide to Assist You with the Death and Dying Process
Deceased Persons’ Estates – Government of Alberta
Being a Personal Representative
A funeral, memorial or some gathering for those left behind is very important. It provides family and friends an opportunity to say goodbye and to remember and honour the life of someone close to them. A get-together at such a time can make it easier for them to deal with their feelings of loss and to give each other emotional support and strength. Extracted from Saying Farewell: a guide to assist you with the death and dying process
Funeral celebrant Verna Klimack explains the arrangements that need to be made after death and offers suggestions for meaningful ways to celebrate a person after death.
After you view the video, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
Saying Farewell: A Guide to Assist You with the Death and Dying Process
Arrangements after death are emotional tasks that are often done when you are least able to think about such decisions. Some people choose to make arrangements in advance. Then, at death, there is time to visit with family and begin mourning without worrying about organizational details. For other people, making arrangements in advance seems too final an action, and it is important to enjoy the time with the person living with dementia. Extracted from: A Caregiver’s Guide: A Handbook About End-of-Life Care
This session includes the following parts:
Part 1: A Celebration of Life
Part 2: Getting the Paperwork in Order
Part 3: Questions for Reflection
Summary
Work through the various parts in the session at your leisure.
Move from one part to another at your own pace and in the order that makes sense to you, based on your own needs and interests.
At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar and type a specific question or topic to learn more.
