1 Finance - Will writing, putting information about key finances in a central place/s
2 Household - Collation of household documents, airlooms etc..
3 Councelling - Councelling and key principles to come to terms with end of life and terminal
4 Well Being -Avenues to help come to terms with end of life and terminal
5 Support - Support for self and loved ones
4. Support for self and loved ones
It took me several months before I did this. In part as it linked to well being and logially came after getting myself better.
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DWP benefits - checking what benefits I qualified for. Initially I'd also assumed this wouldn't apply to me however I'd
urge all to look at it irrespective of circumstance. Fighting cancer is not just only expensive but also of course very stressful.
Some of the benefits isn't just monetary but in having something that's appropriate and adds to quality of life.
I started by trying to apply directly. However found the process daunting, complex after a recent concussion. Also it didn't seem well setup
for cancer suffers whose condition varies during the day / week. I had support from a nurse via a local hospice to fill and submit a form on my
behalf which was much simpler. Once awarded, ordering a vehicle via
motability was a pretty easy process.
It gave me good independence, piece of mind. Also temporarily provided a bit of joy in what otherwise was a tough time living with cancer.
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Blue badge - A good enabler making it easier getting out and about for parking etc.. Apply via your local council authority website
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House adaptions - As my condition changed we've had to make varfious house adaptions. This has largely been supported and undertaken
via social prescribers, without which wouldn't have been possible and several months on they have proven key. This
servive can be requested via your GP, I requested it after I'd fainte and the jaw option, whereby I had limited mobility and
complex needs, many of which still come from time to time now. An example of such adjustments allocated on a needs basis includes:
Wheelchair / wheeler, perch stools, foot stands, second hand rail, additional steps for house access. hospital bed etc..
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Councelling support - Both now and pre-post my death. So much tends to be focused on the patient but of course equalling important
for care givers and others impacted.
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Future presence and memories - Both important to me and I think will be important to family. over the months I've spent time recording
recording messages for family (videos and voice recordings). Some of support, some for certain events etc.. For my children
these messages (electronic and letter / card based), included birthdays, weddings, festive occassions, life stages like upon finishing school, first job etc...
I hope it will show that daddy is still here in some ways and keep my memory alive
