Loving Individuals in Final

Transition

A ministry of
the local church
to chronically
and terminally
ill patients and
their families.

c

hapter One

× The Mission and Purpose of LIFT

× Basic Questions About Death and Dying
× Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
× The Biblical View of Death and Dying
× The Necessity of
hristian
aregiving at
the end of Life

c 
 MISSION
LIFT is a local church-based ministry of
compassionate practical care and
assistance to chronically and terminally
ill individuals and their families.

c u
 PURPOSE
LIFT conveys the following messages
to the community:
× Ñuman life is sacred, bearing God¶s image
× God is sovereign over life and death
× The love of
hrist overcomes the power of death
× The local church is central in meeting the needs
of chronically and terminally ill persons and their
families

c Œ
 Basic Questions About Death
and Dying
× [hat do you fear most about chronic or terminal
illness?
× Ñow much technology should a
hristian use to
remain alive?
× If you were seriously ill, where would you and your
family turn for help?
× In what ways might the local church respond to your
concerns?

c D
 To the Best of Our
Ability«

«[e will provide our faithful

presence and support. (You
will not suffer alone.)

c ‰
 Reasons to Oppose Assisted
Suicide and Euthanasia
× Thou shalt not kill.
× They are not needed
× They are not acceptable medical
treatments
× They reject God¶s sovereignty and
providential control over life
× They are forms of abandonment

c 
 The Necessity of
hristian

aregiving at the End of Life

× Immense systems of care: efficient but

impersonal
× Spiritual needs vs. medical needs
× Exams, tests, biopsies on the body, but
what about the spirit?
× Temporal vs. Eternal

c
Ñow to Implement the
LIFT Program at Your

hurch

c. Raise the level of awareness

a. Share your burden with others
b. Form a small group (invite pastor or
deacon)
c. Ask the Ñoly Spirit to direct your steps


 o
Ñow to Implement the
LIFT Program at Your

hurch

2. Build your team

a. Promote LIFT
b. Recruit volunteers

c. Ñold informational meetings

 c
 Ñow to Implement the
LIFT Program at Your

hurch

3. Training and Teaching

a. Organize 90-minute sessions in 8 to c0
series
b. Assign partners to those who finish and
ask for a one-year commitment

 cc
¦OLUNTEERS are
Open hearted
oving

nderstanding
urturing
rustworthy
ncouraging
xamples of
hrist
eliable


 c
 Listening: An Act of Love

c. Be interested & show it

2. Look for the main ideas
3. Monitor your feelings and point of view
4. Notice non-verbal language
5. Give the other person the benefit of the
doubt
6. Tune in to the other person


Πcu
 Acceptance
u

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risis

× Definition
×
haracteristics
× Response
× Support
× Predictions for outcome

D cD
 The
risis
ycle
Life-Style God Growth
Crisis
Faith
Denial Growth
Faith
Growth
Anger
Faith

argaining Acceptance

Depression

Retreat
Shrink
x
 Ñ

 





ÑŒ‰ Unbelief


D c‰
 Factors Affecting Events Becoming
rises
Culture Roles
God or
³gods´
erception
Interpersonal vs. Reality
Relationships

Event erson-
Crisis!
Family

Aspirations Economics ±
(dreams, hopes, other pressures
future plans)

Status ower (class

membership pressures)
x Ñ



 

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D c
 ATTITUDES TO[ARD
SUFFERING

× Despair
× Sourness or bitterness
× Rebellion
× Resignation

D co
 ATTITUDES TO[ARD
SUFFERING

×
hallenge
× Fear
× Acceptance

D 
NEEDS OF TÑE SUFFERING
× Love and comfort
× Adequate provision of basic daily needs
× Acceptance ± even when behavior is atypical
× Establishment of realistic goals
× Fellowship with God
× Experiencing the grace of God

D c
 


 







 
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D 

 SPIRITUAL NEEDS

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 GOD IS TÑE SOUR
E OF:
× FORGIVENESS
× MEANING AND PURPOSE
× LOVE AND RELATEDNESS
× ASSURAN
E

‰ Œ
 SPIRITUAL NEEDS




  
  
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‰ D
 SPIRITUAL NEEDS

Lack of:
× FORGIVENESS leads to«
× MEANING AND PURPOSE leads to«
× LOVE AND RELATEDNESS leads to«
× ASSURAN
E leads to«

‰ ‰
 PRAYING S
RIPTURE
Romans c5:c3
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‰ 
 PRAYING S
RIPTURE
Ephesians 3:c4-c9
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‰ 
Basic Themes of
Scripture
× FORGIVENESS
×
OMFORT
× ÑOPE
× LOVE AND A

EPTAN
E
× TRUST
×
ARE AND
OMMUNITY


‰ o
 Use of Prayer

× [hat is prayer?
× The healing power of prayer
× [hen to pray
× Ñow to pray
× Use of scripture as prayer

u
MANAGING STRESS

× Be aware of stress
× Take time alone with God
× Ask for prayer partners
× Identify cause(s) of stress
× Set achievable goals

 uc
MANAGING STRESS
× Identify what¶s
important/prioritize
× Get support and/or counseling
× Take time for yourself
× Learn to relax
× Ñave a sense of humor

 u
STRESS REDU
ERS

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 Physical
hanges


 

c. Physiological
2. Safety and Security
3. Love and belonging
4. Self Esteem
5. Spiritual Enhancement

uŒ
 Possible Risk Factors for
Alzheimer's Disease
× Age ± over 85, 50% at risk
× Family history
× Ñead injury
× Limited education ± continued learning activates
more brain cells
× Lack of mental activity
× Vascular disease
× Reduced blood flow


 uD
Possible Protective Factors

× Estrogen
× Mental activities
× Physical activities
× Vitamin E (antioxidant)

 u‰
Possible Protective Factors

× Diet
× Social interaction
× Rest
×
ontrol chronic illness
× [eight control

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 Scenario
Ñarry is seated at the table waiting for breakfast. The dining
room is a flurry of commotion. Several call-ins means the nursing
assistants are hurrying an effort to catch up on the day¶s tasks. Ñarry
is showing signs of agitation. Ñis breakfast has been set up and he is
able to feed himself with reminders; however, he is not eating. The
nurse approaches Ñarry and urges him to eat. ³
ome on Ñarry, you
must eat. This food is good for you. Ñere, just take a bite of cereal.´
At the same time, she¶s attempting to get Ñarry to drink by
holding a glass to his mouth. Ñarry pushes the glass away and the
nurse responds, ³Ñarry, why did you do that? That wasn¶t nice. Ñere,
you need to drink this juice.´ The nurse continues her attempts to
coerce Ñarry to eat breakfast. Finally, Ñarry slaps the glass out of her
hand, spilling juice down the front of her uniform. The nurse reports
and documents that Ñarry is ³combative.´

 uo
 Scenario

× [hy do you think Ñarry is ³combative?´

× [hat different approaches might be
more effective?
× [hat could you do to change the
atmosphere so that you might be able to
give Ñarry some personal care?

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o Œc
 Five Stages of Dying

× Denial
× Anger
× Bargaining
× Depression
× Acceptance

o Œ
 ÑELPING TÑE
ARE RE
IPIENT
PREPARE TO ³DIE [ELL´



 

  




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oncerns About ³Dying [ell´
× Ñaving others present
× Providing for your physical needs
× Making provision for loved ones
× Giving yourself away
× Reviewing your life
× Letting go
×
hoosing to forgive

o ŒŒ
Five Things the Dying
Need to
ommunicate
³Forgive Me´
³I Forgive You´
³Thank You´
³I Love You´
³Good-Bye´

o ŒD
 GRIEF
  
  




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--
. S. Lewis

c Œ‰Œ‰
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c Œ
 Stages of Grief

× Shock
×
rucible
×
onstruction

c Œ
 Grief
are Basics

c. Presence
2. Eye contact
3. Listen

4. Gifts

c Œo
 Grief
are Basics

5.
ompassionate honesty
6. Sharing scripture
7.
almness and composure
8. Ask help from skilled caregivers

c D
 Needs of the Grieving
c. For support
2. To accept the loss
3. To express sorrow
4. To deal with sorrow
5. To deal with guilt
6. For new and strengthened friendships

c Dc
 Stages of Normal Grief

c. Shock
2. Emotional release
3. Physical/body manesfestations
4. Depression/panic
5. Guilt

c D
 Stages of Normal Grief

6. Anger
7. Idealization
8. Realization
9. New patterns
c0. Living with the loss

c Du
 Lessons from Job
Job c:c ± 2:7
× Ñis walk with God (c:c-8)
× God¶s test through Satan (c:9-c2; 2:c-6)

× Ñis lost wealth (c:c3-c7)

× Ñis lost children (c:c8-c9)

× Ñis lost health (2:7-8)

× Ñis wife¶s lost respect (2:9)

× Ñis supernatural response (2:c0)

c DŒ
 Group Study of Job 6:c-c4
× ÿO
 ± [hat do you personally fear
most about Job¶s predicament?
× ÿO
± According to the text, how
was Job feeling about his situation?
× ÿO
 ± [hat was Job¶s response to
God?
× ÿO
 ± [hat does Job need from
his friends? [hat does he get?


c DD