(HealthDay News) -- If you're the caregiver for someone with a serious illness, you shouldn't avoid discussion of sensitive issues, such as quality of life, finances and advance directives.
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends:
- Discuss the potential need for palliative and hospice care. These can offer support for family members, pain management and focus on well-being, emotional health and quality of life.
- Talking about advance directives, which will help ensure that your loved one's wishes are carried out if he or she is not able to communicate them.
- Making arrangements for legal and financial issues. You may want to hire a lawyer to help set up and manage accounts, wills and insurance policies.
- Planning funeral arrangements, making sure to discuss preferences and budget.
