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Your Loved One%u2019s SymptomsADDRESSING YOUR LOVED ONE%u2019S SYMPTOMSSamaritan realizes that caring for a loved one at home can be a lonely and/or frightening experience, especially if you are unaware of the many different circumstances that can occur.The following information will help you be proactive and provide comfort to your loved one should any of these circumstances arise. Of course, please call Samaritan if you have any questions, but we recommend trying these suggestions before calling your nurse. Please note: Any condition change or fall should be reported immediately.AGITATIONAgitation is a behavioral, confrontational, physical disturbance that is, at times, a result of heightened anxiety and can also be a sign of uncontrolled pain.%u2022 Note: Personality changes often occur with disease progression.%u2022 Talk gently; do not aggravate your loved one if they are confused.%u2022 Play soft music, watch TV, sit with your loved one.%u2022 Check your loved one%u2019s safety (bed rails up).%u2022 Notify the nurse promptly if you feel your loved one is agitated.ANXIETY AND SADNESSAnxiety and sadness are normal and expected emotions at the end of life. Samaritan is dedicated to addressing these challenging symptoms. Emotional and spiritual concerns are discussed by your hospice team on an ongoing basis. But we always encourage you and your family to let us know of any suffering, including anxiety and sadness, so that we may help. CAUSES%u2022 Not wanting to be a burden to family members or worrying about family.%u2022 Fear of the unknown: What will it feel like to die?%u2022 Spiritual concerns: Why is this happening to me? Is there an afterlife?%u2022 Unresolved issues such as not being able to make amends with a loved one.%u2022 Guilt.%u2022 Side effects of medications such as steroids, inhalers, or nebulizers.%u2022 Financial concerns.%u2022 Holding onto beliefs that one should feel, be, or do things in a particular way. HOW YOU CAN HELP%u2022 Keep your hospice team informed (nurse, social worker, spiritual support counselor).%u2022 Listen. Just listen to your loved one.%u2022 Let your loved one feel what they feel %u2013 no matter what the feeling is.%u2022 Remind yourself, and your loved one, that there is no right way to feel %u2013 or be %u2013 during this time. Sharing positive memories or focusing on something upbeat is sometimes helpful.SamaritanNJ.org 13