Tools for Families
Finding the Answers You Need
End-of-Life Resources for Families
Finding answers to questions about end-of-life issues is usually not as straight-forward as most people would like.
The issues are complicated and highly personal, so answers that work for one individual, might not work for another. Making matters worse, some of the best tools and resources can be hard to find.
That's why we developed this page of our website. We know that the paths you travel are uniquely your own, but we also know that learning about the answers others have found might be of some help.
As you continue your search for answers, please let us know if you find other tools that you think might be good to post to this page. You can email that information to me, Gretchen Hagen, at Hospice of The Gorge. Thanks so much!
All the best with your search,
— Gretchen Hagen, RN
Executive Director
Caring Connections
Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is a nation-wide initiative to improve care at the end of life. It is supported by a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Caring Connections HELPLINE
800-658-8898
If you or someone you know is in need today, please call the Caring Connections Helpline. The helpline is staffed with knowledgeable and compassionate people who can provide a compassionate ear and answer questions on end-of-life issues.
Resources Covering a Variety of Topics
Click on the links below to bring you to sections of the Caring Connections site that address the particular topics indicated.
Click here to go to the home page for Caring Connections where you may find additional information to help meet your needs.
University of Hawaii Center on Aging
The five booklets listed below, were developed by the Center on Aging at the University of Hawaii. The project was made possible by a grant from the National Family Caregiver Support Program, U.S. Administration on Aging. Click on the title of the booklet below to open a PDF document that you can read or save to your computer.
Advance Care Planning: Making Your Choices Known
A workbook that helps you document the kind of care you want if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. It includes web addresses to find your state's forms.
Planning Ahead: Funeral and Memorial Services
A workbook to document your funeral or memorial service preferences ahead of time. Includes tips for consumers.
Preparing to Say Good-bye: Care for the Dying
Learn about common symptoms experienced by dying people and what you can do to make the dying person more comfortable.
When Death Occurs: What to Do When a Loved One Dies
A guide to help you get through the hours, days, and weeks following a loved one's death.
Help for the Bereaved: The Healing Journey
A guide to help you get through the hours, days, and weeks following a loved one's death.
Hospicenet.org
Hospice.net is an independent, nonprofit organization based out of Nashville, TN. Their goal is to provide people with helpful information about end-of-life issues. Articles are contributed to the site from both professionals specializing in care at the end-of-life, and non-professionals who have been through the process and have something of value to share.
Clicking on the topic listing below takes you to the related area of the Hospicenet.org website.
My Care Community.org
My Care Community is an online community of caregivers who share advice, experiences, stories, tips and resources. It was made possible by a grant from the National Cancer Institute.
The site offers you the opportunities to keep a journal, join in on discussion forums, get involved in blogging, ask opinions of experts, and more.
The types of articles and issues addressed on the site include:
- Help for the Overwhelmed Caregiver
- You’ve Got to Be Kidding: Finding Humor during Challenging Times
- Relieving Caregiver Stress
- How to Support a Caregiver
Click here to visit the community.
Network of Care
Network of Care is an interactive website sponsored by various state agencies throughout the United States. The site offers a range of helpful articles related to care needs, as well as links to community resources.
For the end-of-life needs you are researching on this site, you would probably find the section of the site titled “Seniors and People with Disabilities,” the most useful.
Please note that once you enter into the section of the site you are interested in visiting, you will be asked to select the state of interest and the county of interest before being able to access resources available.
Click here to access the Network of Care website.
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