Have you ever heard of a community end-of-life advocate?

It’s a caregiver or coach who helps people facing death and their families with non-medical support surrounding saying goodbye, personal care, and the grieving process.

During a challenging and tender time in the life of a family, a community end-of-life advocate or professional caregiver with end-of-life experience can work hand-in-hand to provide comfort and reduce stress to both the person dying and their family members.

Angel Companions Adds Advocate

Our dedicated and passionate Director of Case Management, Tammy Burris, recently went through a training and certification process to assist people at the end of their lives, as well as their families.

Because of her role at Angel Companions, Tammy saw that many families nearing the passing of a loved one need help, both with tasks that can free up a family’s plate to focus on the time they have together and support so that everyone can prepare mentally and emotionally.

“I’m very passionate about making sure people get that care,” says Burris. “If people can prepare for the end of life, they can die with respect and honor.”

For many families, the idea of going into hospice is scary, but Burris says it doesn’t have to be that way. Facilitating discussions about the final wishes of the person nearing the end of life, helping them find peace, and giving relationships closure, take the uncertainty and fear out of the process.

By sharing whether they want to go to the hospital, what advanced care directives they want or don’t want, and funeral wishes, everyone can be sure their loved one receives the care, legacy, and peace they deserve.

One way a community end-of-life advocate helps families is to provide grief and emotional support after the loved one’s passing. Before, during, and after death, their assistance is not medical or legal but instead about healing and giving closure.

Connecting Companion Care

Of course, there are also lots of practical ways professional caregivers can assist families as they go through this difficult time, making it possible for people nearing the end of life to remain at home, including:

  • Grooming, bathing, and personal care
  • Medication reminders and management
  • Communicating with medical teams as needed
  • Mobility and physical transfers
  • Light housekeeping
  • Meal preparation
  • Respite caregiver relief

If you have a loved one nearing the end of life, it helps to know you are not alone. There are professionals who can assist you and your whole family with all aspects of the difficulty you are facing.

Angel Companions supports families to ensure their loved one has all of their needs met – mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. If you would like to discuss how to integrate companion care into your family member’s care plan, contact us today.