When living with a terminal illness, it can seem like an insurmountable task just to get up each morning and face the day head-on. You may feel physically bogged down by fatigue caused by your illness, or emotionally bogged down by the sheer mental weight of your situation. These things are all understandable and are common in people who are afflicted by terminal illnesses. However, you cannot let your terminal illness keep you from enjoying your life and taking part in your everyday activities. There are some practical tasks you can complete that will help you not only deal with your terminal illness, but will also help you thrive in your end-of-life stages. 

Get the external support you need to live your life comfortably

If you are nearing the end of your life, it is likely that you could be experiencing some mental illness symptoms, such as anxiety, loss of interest in things in which you were previously interested, and depression. Research from Baylor University suggests that depression and depressive symptoms affect around 77 percent of ill patients with terminal conditions. End-of-life self care can be tricky, as it is sometimes difficult to parse out whether your symptoms are temporary and stemming from your illness, or if you have depression or another mental illness. Regardless of whether your mental situation is chronic, it is important to have adequate support for yourself so that you can be in a positive mental state as you near the end of your life. This will make it far easier for you to fight your illness and, practically speaking, to fulfill some vital end-of-life tasks.

Finding a therapist who specializes in grief or has had patients with terminal illness is a great idea if you are having trouble coping with your condition. If you live in an urban area with a higher density of people, this can be easier than you think. Finding the best therapists in DC, for instance, can be as simple as visiting the Therapy Group of DC’s website and matching yourself to one of the many highly-qualified counselors or therapists they have on staff. Additionally, you may want to consider support groups for people with terminal illness because it could be beneficial for you to grow a network of supporters that truly understand the position you are in.

Another external support you may want to consider investing in is a caregiver, either full-time or part time. Depending on the severity and type of terminal illness you are living with, it may be difficult for you to physically complete some everyday tasks, such as cooking, bathing, and keeping track of medications. A live-in or a hospice caregiver can provide support for these tasks, and will do so with the compassion that you deserve.

Take care of finances
One thing you do not want to worry about if you are dealing with terminal illness is your financial state. Occasionally, funds can get tight if you are in end-of-life treatments. Medicine and hospital stays are costly, so it is important that you consider all your options for improving your financial stability and giving you peace of mind. Viatical settlements provide a quick cash payout for individuals who are dealing with a terminal illness and want to sell a life insurance policy that they no longer need. This kind of arrangement could be just what you need to cover rent, groceries, and other living expenses while you try to make your life comfortable despite your illness. Selling your life insurance policy through a viatical settlement could provide you with enough cash to undergo medical treatments to help extend your life, which, you and your family members and loved ones can agree, is invaluable.

When facing a terminal illness, you need to be mindful of your mental health needs as well as your financial standing. By ensuring both aspects of your life are considered, you’ll be in a better position to make the best of your current situation.

By admin