The D word!

What did you think we were talking about?

How did it make you feel? Were you surprised? Did you think we’d made a mistake?

We often start our conversations about death and dying with a question, perhaps not the one we asked you, to grab your attention.

Starting with something like ‘have you ever wondered what would happen if?’ or ‘do you think we should talk about?’ can be a more a natural way to approach a conversation than starting with a statement. No conversation is perfect, but by talking about death you’re helping to make the future easier for everyone.

This Dying Matters Awareness Week we’re highlighting the importance of having those conversations – talking to your loved ones about death and dying can help to really get things organised. Letting the people closest to you know your wishes and make the most of the time you have together can bring a sense of relief, helping with the emotional and practical impact of death.

If you have a life-limiting illness, it can bring comfort to think and talk to your loved ones about what you would like to happen when you die. What sort of care you’d like to receive? Where you’d like to be cared for? Any treatments you do and don’t want to have? And who you’d like to make decisions on your behalf if you’re no longer able to.

You could start by asking yourself two things ‘What’s important to me? What matters to me?’. Write down your plans, so you have a record of them. We support patients to put their wishes in place by completing an advance care planning form and give the completed version to your loved ones.

“With Keech by our side we feel supported and as we plan for what might happen next, we know they will be there for us. Every person and their experience is different and that’s why I feel the care and support I get from Keech is personalised to me.” – David, a patient we’re supporting

If you’re reading this blog, chances are we led you to this via social media or our website which means you will have a digital footprint – now and when you’ve died. Many of us have all kinds of information stored online, and often everything is protected by passwords.

“We live increasingly digital lives, but how many of us have planned a good digital legacy after we die? Think about all the photos, videos, personal information, financial dealings and so much more that we have on our computers, laptops, and phones. How will loved ones be able to access these after you die? Do you want them available for your family to see?” – Karen Hibbert, Compassionate Communities Coordinator at Keech Hospice Care

It’s a good idea to decide what you want to happen to all of your data after you die, and let a loved one know, so they can carry out your wishes. We really are living in a digital world!

At Keech Hospice Care, we’re experts in helping people from the day they’re diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and helping them to live well and independently for as long as possible. We’re also experts in making sure you have a good death.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, we can help you right now. Our services are FREE. Visit our referral page here.

If you’d like to find out more about Dying Matters Week or how to have the conversation around death and dying, then please fill out the form below and someone from our Compassionate Communities team will be in touch.