What To Do When Your Partner Doesn’t Have Much Time Left

Life can be a tricky thing to navigate when you know that your other half isn’t long for this world. You want to make the most of your time together, but you don’t know how best to do that. It’s not helped by the fact that they may be too weak or ill to do much, meaning your options are fairly limited.

While that might be the case, though, that doesn’t mean you have to just sit around waiting for the end. You can still use your time wisely and enjoy the moments you have left together by trying these suggestions.

Reminisce On The Good Times

If you’ve been with your partner for a long time, the chances are that the two of you have made many happy memories together. It can be nice to reflect on those toward the end so that you can focus on the joy in your lives, rather than thinking about what’s ahead.

Depending on your partner’s mental state and potential illness, this may be easier for some couples to do than others. Your other half might have difficulty talking for very long, or their memory of previous events may be very hazy. However, pictures can help with this, as can some of these memory aids, tools, and strategies. You never know what might jog their memory, or what random information they still recall, if you don’t try anything.

Bring The Family Round

When someone is short on time, having their family around can really bring them some peace of mind. So, it’s a good idea to call on any siblings, children or grandchildren you may have to come and visit while they still can.

This is particularly important for family members who perhaps don’t live nearby, and so only come to see you once or twice a year. They’ll want to know that your partner is nearing the end so they can make plans to visit asap. Not only does it give them an opportunity to say goodbye, but it also ensures that your other half can spend more time with the people they love.

Make Certain Arrangements

Your partner’s funeral might not be something you want to consider while they’re still around. However, organizing things in advance may well give them some peace of mind during their final days. They’ll have the relief of knowing that the service will be to their liking and that you won’t have so much responsibility on your shoulders when the time comes.

For those in Cumming and Forsyth county, you’re best off turning to Ingram Funeral Home. Whether your other half wants a burial or a cremation, their dedicated staff are eager to meet your needs so they can ease your worries on that fateful day. They offer guided help to ensure that advanced preparations go as smoothly as possible, and even provide additional support for memorials and a celebration of life service too. 

Revisit A Treasured Memory

If it’s physically possible, it can be nice to revisit a treasured memory with your partner while you still have the chance. This might mean going somewhere that played a special role in your relationship or perhaps doing an activity that you used to enjoy on dates.

Obviously, some couples will have an easier time of this than others. Again, it depends on how strong and able-bodied the two of you are. You shouldn’t do anything that will put either of you at risk. However, if it’s safe to do so, then this can be a beautiful way to spend the time you have left together. It will give you one more memory to treasure when your other half passes away, which could make the grieving process slightly easier to deal with.

It may be worth enlisting some family members to help pull this off, just to be on the safe side. That way, if anything does happen, you won’t be alone to deal with it.

Enjoy Some Home Activities

If your partner is too weak to go out and do anything, that’s okay. There’s plenty that the two of you can do at home which will still allow you to spend quality time together.

You can watch movies – particularly your other half’s favorites – or read to one another. If they’re able to, you could play a card game or do a puzzle, or maybe put a scrapbook together of all your treasured photos and memories. Creative activities are particularly good to get involved with, as research suggests that they can reduce distress and boost positive emotions. These are benefits that both of you may need if you’re struggling with what’s ahead. 

No matter you and your partner’s level of ability, there’s plenty that the two of you can do during the time you have left. It’s not nice to think about a future without one another, but at least you can still enjoy some happiness together before the end.