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Serena Tanner

Writer

Serena Tanner attended the University of Washington, where she earned a degree in philosophy after many detours delving into human rights, law, psychology, and social work. Health and holistic wellness topics continue to hold a special place in her heart. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found exploring the Pacific Northwest with her two children and dogs.


Contributions

Building & Finding Support Systems for End-of-Life Care

Navigating the end-of-life period can take an emotional toll on everyone affected directly by the person – for them, certainly, but also friends, family members, and caregivers. It’s normal for anyone touched by the person facing life’s final stages to need extra emotional and physical support during this difficult time. However, finding that support systemContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Legal & Ethical Considerations for Pet End-of-Life Care

For pet parents, dogs, cats, and other animal companions are an important part of life. They’re beloved pals who provide immense fulfillment. However, pets tend to have significantly shorter life spans than people.  When your furry friend reaches the end-of-life stage, you’re left considering the most ethical decisions for your pet. You might have questionsContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Suicidal Ideation Treatment: From Therapy to Lifestyle Changes

Suicidal ideation may be a painful—even debilitating—thing to experience or realize that a loved one is going through. You may feel like you’re out of control or that there’s no hope of relieving the pain. However, recovery is possible, especially if you reach out for help. Many treatments exist to help alleviate suicidal ideation andContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Crisis Intervention Strategies to Help Someone Suicidal

Hearing that someone you love is suicidal can be terrifying. You might feel helpless or unsure what to do. Supporting someone close to you through a suicidal crisis puts you in a pivotal position during a critical time. This guide to crisis intervention strategies to help someone who is suicidal can equip you with theContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Understanding Self-Harm & Why People Do It

People could self-harm for many reasons and in different ways. It’s relatively common, especially in teenagers, and involves intentionally injuring oneself. While self-harm isn’t always indicative of suicidal ideation, it’s still a serious issue that requires empathy and sensitivity.  If you or someone you love is in crisis and either considering or planning suicide, pleaseContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Grief in Children & How to Support Them Through Loss

Loss is hard for anyone, but children often struggle with the permanence of death. Grief in children often looks different compared to adults, but they still face an immense emotional experience. Adults, especially parents, can help ease the grieving process for their children by providing comfort and guidance in coping with difficult emotions. Key Takeaways UnderstandingContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Managing Grief in the Workplace with Tips for Employees & Managers

Grief is a natural part of life, and inevitably it will eventually spill into the workplace. Both employees and organizational dynamics can be deeply impacted by grief, but creating a compassionate workplace culture can help mitigate the effect. Managers can support team members through grief in the workplace by providing bereavement policies, empathy training, andContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Coping with a Chronic or Terminal Illness & Understanding Grief

Grief is a profound, overwhelming experience commonly associated with a loss. However, it’s not limited to bereavement. Grieving can be a response to other intensely stressful situations, such as a chronic or terminal illness as the gravity of the diagnosis sinks in. Learning how to cope with these complex, intense emotions is essential to yourContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

How to Cope With the Death & Loss of a Loved One

Every relationship you have is unique. Every loss is as well. While grief is a universal human experience, it certainly isn’t identical. After you lose a loved one, your life changes, and you have to learn to live without them. Losses can have different impacts based on the type of relationship you have. Losing familyContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Grief Support Groups & Finding Comfort Before & After a Loved One’s Death

Grief has a profound impact on people. Even if your loved one has not yet passed away, you may be grappling with the reality that they will soon. Often, support from someone — or a group of someones — who is going through something similar can help in a unique way. You can find aContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Types of Grief at End-of-Life: Complicated, Anticipatory & More

It’s hard to imagine a life without a loved one, and the grieving process can begin before the loss even occurs. Each form of grief, including complicated, anticipatory, disenfranchised, and collective, comes with its own set of challenges and characteristics. Key Takeaways Understanding Grief Before & After a Loved One’s Death Grief is a complexContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

7 Stages of Grief & What to Expect After Loss

Grief is a universal human experience after loss. Despite its universality, it’s also an incredibly difficult period, especially if you’ve received a terminal diagnosis or lost a close loved one. Understanding the stages of grief can provide insight into navigating the process by explaining why you feel what you do and how to manage those intenseContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Ongoing Support & Healing from Grief After a Loved One’s Passing

Immediately after a loss, your social support system likely circled around you, offering assistance and a shoulder to cry on. However, time goes on after loss, even if your feelings seem frozen in time. Support may start to wane as people go back to their normal lives while you’re still reeling. Grief knows no timelineContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Cremation Laws & Regulation Around Spreading of Ashes

After the death of a close loved one, you have a lot to consider. You’re grieving, and a lot of processes take place nearly immediately after their loss while you’re probably still reeling from the news. One such consideration is cremation.  If you want to cremate your loved one or if your loved one indicatedContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Navigating Health Insurance for End-of-Life Care

Whether you’re getting your affairs in order preemptively or navigating the end-of-life care process in a time of need, the cost of care can feel overwhelming. However, resources are available to help bring your out-of-pocket costs down to more affordable levels. This guide outlines health insurance for end-of-life care and other resources available. Key TakeawaysContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Estate & Trust Administration After a Loved One’s Death

Often when you lose a loved one, it’s hard to think about anything but the grief you’re experiencing. But, unfortunately, there are a lot of tasks that have to be handled, such as ensuring that the deceased’s last wishes are honored and that their assets are managed and distributed how they wanted. This happens duringContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Smart Inheritance & Gift Tax Strategies for Beneficiaries

In many cases, wealth transfers come with a significant tax burden. Even an inheritance can lead to a big tax bill. However, with tax-efficient planning, you can preserve more of your financial legacy, ensuring your loved ones benefit more from the wealth you’ve accrued.  Key Takeaways What Is Inheritance Tax? Some states charge an inheritanceContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

How to Claim Social Security Survivor Benefits (Including VA Benefits)

When you lose a loved one, money may be the last thing on your mind. Despite this, bills still come. Fortunately, survivor benefits can help you cover those bills. This guide introduces survivor benefits from Social Security and the VA to simplify the process during a difficult time. Key Takeaways Claiming Social Security Survivor BenefitsContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Managing Social Media Accounts After a Loved One’s Death

After the death of a loved one, it can feel like the list of things to do is endless. The last thing on your mind may be their social media accounts. However, this important task protects their privacy and digital legacy. Managing social media accounts after death is a largely personal decision and is influencedContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Understanding Retirement & Pension Benefits After Death

Thinking about what happens after your death can be difficult, especially when you’re the primary provider for your family. However, taking the time to create a plan can ensure your loved ones are taken care of and give you and your family peace of mind. After death, retirement and pension benefits can be transferred to namedContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

How to Transfer Property Titles Before Death to Secure Your Legacy

By transferring property titles before death, you take control of your finances and benefit your heirs. Plan ahead, and your loved ones may avoid the lengthy probate process and take control of their new property smoothly and efficiently, leaving both you and your recipients with peace of mind. This guide addresses the most common waysContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Facing Organ Donation and Transplantation at the End-of-Life

Some people face end-of-life situations because of organ failure that could be reversed with a transplant. However, transplants can’t happen without willing organ donors. While challenging to contemplate, part of your end-of-life planning should include determining whether you’d like to participate in organ and tissue donation. Key Takeaways What Is Organ Donation? Organ donation andContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Caregiver Support: Respite Care, Burnout Prevention & Resources

Caregivers, both professional and family members, play a critical role in supporting people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or aging-related issues. They’re key to ensuring someone who needs assistance receives the care and support they need day to day. Caregivers may assist with medication management and simple tasks like preparing food, or they may need toContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

How to Find a Caregiver for Yourself or an Elderly Loved One

As people age, it’s natural to require extra help, but some need more than others. Some seniors eventually need assistance with their daily activities. Choosing a caregiver can be emotionally challenging as you search for someone you can trust to work with for your own needs, or those of a loved one. Key Takeaways UnderstandingContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Home Health Care: Family Caregivers vs Professionals

As we age, we often need extra support. In some cases, we may even require round-the-clock care. Both family caregivers and professional home care can help support you or your senior loved one’s well-being.  No matter what you choose, it’s an emotionally difficult time as you acknowledge that you or your loved one aren’t asContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

Understanding Clinical Trials & New Treatment Options

When you receive medical treatment, you trust that it’s safe and effective. However, to verify the effectiveness of a treatment or medication, it must first go through experimental clinical research. Those who participate in these trials pave the way for medical advancements, expanding treatment options.  People who participate in clinical trials often do so becauseContinue reading "Serena Tanner"

The Importance of Nutrition & Hydration at the End-of-Life

Proper nutrition and hydration can look different for each person, depending on underlying conditions. As advanced illnesses progress, dietary requirements and recommendations may evolve. This guide addresses essential topics, including how to recognize when your loved one may need nutrition and hydration support and how to provide it. Key Takeaways Why Are Nutrition and HydrationContinue reading "Serena Tanner"