Tips for End-of-Life Care at Home / Nov. 10, 2010

*Tips for End-of-Life Care at Home

*HSL Inner Circle Upcoming Events

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Tips for End-of-Life Care at Home

Personal Note from Marilee~

Many of you don't know this but a special part of my work as a Nurse Healer serves End-of-Life Care with a program that I have called 'Peaceful Passages'.

My father, Martin J. Tolen, Sr, who passed away on November 26, 2001, asked me before he died to share with the world how wonderful the deathing process can actually be. He was a very spiritual man and was ready to make his transition. We used many complementary therapies with him while he was at home in hospice care, as we did with my mother during her transitioning weeks. We used Healing Touch, therapeutic use of essential oils, massage, music, and heart centered sharing. Even the hospice workers remarked at what differences they noted when we used these therapies (compared to other patients). These comfort and care measures seem to make them much more at peace, and it gave our family a way to participate and connect with them in their final days.

I would love to share more of this work with those of you who may be interested. Please go to my website http://www.peacefulpassages.org/ to learn more. There is a free downloadable tip sheet on some measures that anyone can do at home to create an environment of peace with natural measures. Simple, but effective.



Below is an excerpt from some of my writings and tips as to what you can do at home to help someone as they are facing End-of-Life.

I would also like to acknowledge one of my favorite hospices with whom I have a wonderful relationship. This non-profit organization houses a Scholarship Fund I created for anyone who is interested in studying Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care.

You can visit their website at http://www.samaritanhospice.org/.
If you would like to donate to the fund follow the donation prompts to the MJ Tolen Scholarship Fund.

~Peacefully, Marilee

One of the most difficult things in life is experiencing the loss of a loved one. Worse than that is feeling the powerlessness of not knowing what to do to help make the loved one's transition more comfortable.

Here are some of the complementary therapies and ideas you can do to help:

• Clear and straighten the environment A cluttered environment creates obstacles for movement and can be an unknown source of stress. Have the bedside and surrounding area clear from unnecessary clutter.


• Control the room temperature. Most people who are sick or dying have altered body temperatures. Do your best to get a clear indication as to whether they are hot or cold and adjust the room temperature and bedding to regulate them.


• Wipe face and eyes with warm, moistened, soft washcloth. This can feel so wonderful to the person who is bedridden. Offer it more than once or twice a day.


• Lightly spray or diffuse essential oils in the environment. Essential Oils such as lavender and citrus can have a calming and peaceful effect. Mix a few drops with distilled water in a spray bottle to spray in the air, or diffuse with a cold air diffuser made specifically for aromatherapy use. Be certain not to use perfume or perfume grade oils. Use only therapeutic grade essential oils. To create a more spiritual environment, use oils from ancient scripture such as Frankincense.


• Hold or rub their feet. Feet provide access to the entire body through reflex points. Whether you offer a gentle foot massage or just hold their feet - both offer comfort.


• Clear their energy field. A simple measure of using your hands to clear and balance the energy field of the person who is sick or dying is frequently able to take someone from a level of discomfort to comfort. Place both of your hands approximately 3 inches off their body and move your hands in short sweeping motions downward. Start at the head and move toward the feet.


• Gently brush their brow with a light touch. Touching someone's forehead can offer great comfort to them. People often touch their own foreheads when they feel distressed or unwell. Using a gentle touch to the forehead of someone who is sick or dying is a natural thing to do. Placing your hand and keeping it there, or lightly brushing their brow can offer comfort.

Read the rest and get more information from my website http://peacefulpassages.org/

I am interviewing Caroline Myss PhD on
my "Green Tea with Marilee" Show next Monday eve Nov 15th.
I would like to invite you to join us.......her topic is based
on her new work about 'Defying Gravity' ~ you will love
this material (read details on the registration page).

You can join us live (at no cost) but you must register.
http://tinyurl.com/marileeinterviewscarolinemyss

This way, if you can't make the date, I will send you the
replay (the replay will be good up until the date of her
appearance with us here in the South Jersey area {11/20}
through Transformations Holistic Learning Center - you'll
hear more about this in the interview).

The Home Spa Lady Inner Circle is a special membership area for
people of like minds who enjoy Natural Health and Healing to come
together and share and learn.

Learn about Home Spa Lady's Inner Circle!

Upcoming 20/20

Monthly Teleseminars:

November 18th 10 AM EST
"How to Heal Shingles Naturally"


December 9th 10 AM EST
"9 Ways to Enjoy a Deep Sleep"

Your call-in numbers are listed on the main page in the Inner Circle site! And don't worry - all members will get notices and links emailed directly to you to remind you of the event!

Want More with Home Spa Lady and Marilee?

Learn about Home Spa Lady's Inner Circle!

Visit http://www.homespalady.com/ for simple tips on natural health and beauty that you can do at home. When you subscribe you will get a f'ree bonus video course on How to Use Essential Oils in Your Every Day Life. Subscribe to Home Spa Lady's free "Tips of the Week" newsletter delivered to you each and every Wednesday in your e-mailbox.

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Marilee Tolen RN

EntrepreNURSE & Natural Healing Lifestyle Expert
marilee777@aol.com
Phone: 856-857-1799 (East Coast)

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