If a senior member of your family is receiving end-of-life care in Memphis, you may be wondering how to speak to their grandchildren about the situation. While concealing the nature of a loved one’s illness and passing may seem like it would be beneficial for children, experts agree that not speaking to children clearly about their grandparent’s end-of-life care can cause them to feel frightened and confused.
Be Open
Losing a family member is difficult for both you and your children. You may find it challenging to speak openly with children about your parent’s hospice care, but doing so can make the process easier for everyone. It’s recommended that you introduce the idea of death while the grandparent is still ailing, instead of after his passing.
Use Examples
You can begin the conversation by talking about the loss of a pet, or simply use a dead plant or insect as an example. By explaining that death means the end of life and that every living creature passes on one day, you can present the concept in a way that is easier for children to understand. Remember to keep words and descriptions simple, and to not go into detail about your parent’s particular illness.
Remain Direct
Your child will probably have questions about their grandparent’s hospice care. Try to answer inquiries directly, and without displaying too much grief or emotion. Experts advise that you give your child simple but honest responses to their questions, and to avoid telling them fairy tales. It’s okay to say that you don’t know all of the answers to their questions, rather than confuse them about the nature of death.
Allow Communication
Depending on your particular situation and the health of your elder loved one, you should allow your children to spend as much time with their grandparent as they would like. After talking to them about death, they may be scared to see their grandparent initially, but short visits can help ease their fears and allow them to better cope with the loss of their loved one.