End-of-life care provides support for people approaching death or people in the late stages of terminal illness. This final phase of life could last weeks, months, or years. Support from healthcare professionals and caregivers is needed to help people at the end of life be as comfortable as possible and have the highest quality of life.
When a person fighting a life-threatening illness decides to stop seeking a cure, they may decide to pursue hospice care. Hospice is a type of care that provides comfort to people with terminal illness who are no longer receiving curative treatment and offers assistance to caregivers. Hospice care is not “giving up”—a common misconception that prevents many from getting help. In fact, research suggests people who receive hospice care live longer and with a higher quality of life compared to those who choose not to receive hospice care.
The goal of hospice care is to improve quality of life, helping the person live as well as possible for as long as possible through pain and symptom management, plus spiritual and psychological support.
How Can I Help?
Removing Restrictions
Certain diet restrictions put in place to manage serious illnesses may no longer be as important as someone approaches the end of life. I can work with you and your family to help you best determine how to liberalize your diet while also maintaining your highest quality of life.
Supplement Guidance
Did you know supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? Many may have more or less of the advertised ingredient—and some may have ingredients not listed on the label. It is important to seek the guidance of a professional before taking supplements. As the food and nutrition expert, I can help you navigate the murky waters of supplements.
Guidance for Difficult Decisions
For many, the foods we eat, cook, and serve are often associated with feelings of comfort and serve as a way of communicating love. As someone gets closer to death, the need and desire to eat and drink may lessen. This can be difficult for families and may bring up new questions, such as those concerning artificial nutrition—feeding tubes or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feedings.
A registered dietitian nutritionist is the food and nutrition professional best qualified to help guide you and your family through these difficult decisions by working with your care team and providing you with the information you need to make the best decision for your situation. I can work with you in advance to help you and your family best prepare for difficult decisions that lie ahead, or we can work together once these questions have become your reality.
Contact me to set up a complimentary call to discover if my services are right for you.