Managing a Terminally Ill Loved One: Family Delegation of Duties

As a loved one caring for a terminally ill patient, there are many facets of the care, both medically and psychologically, that you must face. For many families, managing the array of health complications, at times, can become overwhelming. For this reason, if you are experiencing the challenge and rewards associated with a terminally ill family member, delegation of treatment may be appropriate to ensure a well balance care plan is maintained.

One aspect of care that should be assumed by one family member involves the care of the symptoms directly associated with the terminally ill patient. Acute symptoms associated with a terminal illness can generally be classified as nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue and even weight loss. While these are commonly associated with treatment, if one family member is responsible for managing this aspect of care, then the other family members can attend to issues involving pain management, psychological care, nursing care and even matters involving finances.

The acute symptoms of a terminal illness usually include nausea, vomiting, loss of weight and fatigue. If your role in caring for the terminally ill patient involves the management of these symptoms, it is important to identify what, if any, factors are causing the complication. The factors may be the disease itself, the medications used to treat disease, the medications used to treat symptoms or the acute symptoms may simply be tied to a psychological complication.

As part of your plan for care, you will first want to examine what disease related treatments your loved one is experiencing, what pain management medications may have been prescribed and what psychological factors may play a role in the acute symptoms. Often, when other family members are delegated to these complications, a meeting with the healthcare provider can usually reveal where the complication is and how to go about managing it best.