HOW TO PREPARE FOR DEATH WHEN DYING

Death and dying is one topic people don't like talking about. But it is important to think about death since all of us will die someday. Even more important is preparing for it when you have a chronic or life-threatening illness and you've been told by doctors that you won't live for long. Yes, I know that Doctors aren't always right on that one, but a chronic illness, especially one that has no cure - like HIV/AIDS, or even cancer - do afford a person an opportunity to say goodbye to their family and to plan their death.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR DEATH WHEN DYING: WAYS TO DEAL WITH NEWS OF IMPENDING DEATH AND HOW TO COPE WITH A TERRIFYING DIAGNOSIS

When nothing more could be done medically to prolong or save a person's life, it is not just the sick person that suffers, but their families too.

Ways to cope and prepare for dying:

1. If you have children, talk to friends and relatives about who will be their gurdian once you are gone. Talk to your children about that too and explain where they'll live, if they are to move from their home.

2. Put all important documentation in a safe place and tell somebody about them. Give them policy details and contacts.

3. Make a will if you don't already have one.

4. If you have no one to look after your children once you are gone, you may wish to talk to a social worker about that and state your wishes - regarding your kids and your possessions -in your will.

Proper planing will make it much easier for your family to cope with your loss.

"I WAS TRYING TO PUT MYSELF IN A BOTTLE THAT WOULD ONE DAY WASH UP ON THE BEACH FOR MY CHILDREN. IF I WERE A PAINTER, I WOULD HAVE PAINTED FOR THEM. BUT I AM A LECTURER, SO I LECTURED"

~ RANDY PAUSCH, PHD, AUTHOR OF THE "LAST LECTURE" (RANDY HAD TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT HE WAS LEFT WITH ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO LIVE, AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC CANCER. IN HIS BOOK, HE TALKS ABOUT LIVING LIKE A LIVING PERSON (NOT A DYING MAN) AND LEAVING NOT JUST LASTING MEMORIES, BUT LASTING LIFE LESSONS FOR HIS CHILDREN)

HOW TO PREPARE FOR DEATH WHEN DYING: HONEST COMMUNICATION IS KEY

COPING WITH STRESS AND DEPRESSION

ADOPTION AND FOSTERING CHILDREN

COPING WITH LONELINESS FROM BEING SICK

"HOW TO COPE WITH GRIEF"

HELP WITH FEAR OF DEATH"

SEEK COMFORT IN THE BIBLE WHEN YOU ARE FRAIL