End-of-Life Resources for Families and Caregivers

INELDA – International End of Life Doula Association offers a valuable resource for educational organizations seeking information on end-of-life support. My professional training organization has a collection of news articles focused on end-of-life doula services, which play a crucial role in providing compassionate care. Additionally, The Conversation Project encourages open discussions about wishes for care through the end of life, offering free guides for navigating conversations with healthcare professionals and other grief resources.

Bucks County Area Agency on Aging provides essential local senior and caregiver support, serving as one of the key educational organizations in the community. The Pennsylvania Hospice & Palliative Care Network offers a comprehensive directory of agencies that facilitate end-of-life support. For legal and life-care planning services tailored for seniors and their families, Bucks County Elder Law LLC specializes in estate planning, asset protection, Medicaid qualification, and long-term-care strategies. They also provide valuable grief resources, including a free booklet to download.

GriefShare offers community grief support groups as part of their commitment to providing grief resources. Modern Loss encourages honest conversations about grief and resilience, serving as a vital platform for end-of-life support. The Loss Foundation provides a range of grief resources, helping individuals navigate emotions through online support groups based in the UK.

Triage Cancer, an educational organization, provides free Quick Guides, Checklists, Worksheets, and various materials that offer legal and practical education on estate planning and much more for the terminally ill and caregivers. The National Institute on Aging also offers guidance on the two most common advance directives for health care - the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care, essential components of end-of-life support. 

The Pennsylvania POLST online form, known as Pennsylvania Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment, translates a patient’s goals of care at the end of life into portable medical orders that follow the patient across care settings. This document guides the medical team on what a patient does and does not want, such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, food tubes, and the level of care, including comfort only. It is important to note that a POLST form does not replace the POA-HC form.

VSED, or voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, is when a competent person makes a deliberate choice to refuse all food and liquids to hasten death. Many individuals considering VSED are facing serious, irreversible illnesses or living situations they find intolerable, desiring more control over the dying process. Resources for a legal VSED form are available for those seeking guidance.

Washington Law Help offers an online library of Life Planning Forms, including Durable Power of Attorney (POA), VSED, Advanced Directive for Health Care (Living Will), Advance Directive for Living with Dementia, Advance Directive for Mental Health, and Power of Attorney for Parents, making it easier for individuals to access essential grief resources.

Earth Funeral offers soil transformation as a natural, environmentally-friendly alternative to burial and cremation, often referred to as 'human composting.' This method is gaining attention among educational organizations focused on end-of-life support, as it provides an eco-conscious option for those seeking grief resources. Similarly, Aquamation is a gentle process that uses water instead of fire to return a body back to Mother Nature, aligning with sustainable values.

Loose Ends is an organization of volunteers who complete unfinished textile projects left behind due to death or disability. The Center for Grief Therapy provides a variety of end-of-life support options, offering simple ways to help individuals find an enduring connection during this challenging time. Additionally, Remembering a Life is a valuable resource hub that includes various grief resources, focusing on honoring a life and planning for services.

A 97-Year-Old Philosopher Faces His Own Death. This poignant exploration is featured in the documentary 'Being Mortal' from FRONTLINE, which delves into the realities of end-of-life support. Additionally, the 'Real Talk Podcast' with end-of-life expert Barbara Karnes, RN, emphasizes that dying is not like in the movies. Furthermore, educational organizations like INELDA & ICJS provide valuable Muslim perspectives on death and dying, offering essential grief resources to those in need.

Hospice care is an essential service that provides end-of-life support for individuals and their families. Many educational organizations focus on training professionals in this compassionate field, ensuring that caregivers are equipped with the necessary skills. Additionally, hospice services often offer grief resources to help loved ones navigate the difficult emotions that arise during this challenging time.

Many educational organizations provide valuable end-of-life support and grief resources to help individuals navigate their feelings during difficult times. These resources can be vital for those seeking guidance and understanding in their journey through loss.