Creating a Comforting Space: Preparing for Home Hospice Care
Preparing for home hospice care is one of the most compassionate things you can do for a loved one nearing the end of their life. It’s a time when comfort, dignity, and peace become paramount, and creating an environment that supports these values can help ease the transition for everyone involved.
Understanding the Essentials: Preparing for Home Hospice Care
Hospice care providers will supply the necessary medical equipment, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, and medications, ensuring that your loved one’s physical needs are met. However, beyond these essentials, there are numerous ways to enhance the comfort of your loved one and the caregivers who will be by their side.
Setting Up the Space
- Choosing the Right Room: Select a room that offers easy access and enough space to accommodate the necessary medical equipment. If stairs are a concern, consider setting up the hospice area on the ground floor. A dining room, for example, can be transformed into a comfortable hospice space if needed.
- Adding Privacy and Comfort: Privacy is vital for maintaining dignity. Consider installing curtains or room dividers, especially if the space is shared or lacks a door. Adding personal touches like favorite blankets, pillows, or even a recliner can make the environment more comforting. One family member shared, “When my sweetheart was dying, he was comforted by a picture of him with his son from years ago. The photo had been on the wall, but he was glad to have it nearby every day so he could see it from bed.” (Source: Reddit) Such personal items can provide immense comfort.
- Mobility and Safety Considerations: Even if your loved one is still able to move around, having mobility aids like a walker, wheelchair, or a portable toilet on hand can be helpful. Installing grab bars in the bathroom and placing a non-slip rug in the hospice room can enhance safety.
- Entertainment and Engagement: Providing access to entertainment such as a TV, music, or an iPad with favorite shows or audiobooks can help keep your loved one’s mind engaged and spirits uplifted. It’s also a way to maintain some normalcy and connection to their interests.
Supporting Caregivers
Caring for a loved one in hospice can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Ensuring that caregivers have what they need to take care of themselves is just as important as tending to the patient.
As Johanna Turner explains in the article, Hospice is a Family Affair, on the Hospice Foundation’s website, “Hospice workers recognize that no one knows the patient better than you and your family. Hospice appreciates the abilities and skills of each family caregiver and helps you appreciate each other during trying times. Hospice also supports you in saying goodbye to the one who is dying, conveying love and gratitude in your own way.”
This recognition from hospice workers can be profoundly comforting, as it acknowledges the invaluable role caregivers play in their loved one’s life during these final days. This support can manifest in various ways, including:
- Comfortable Sleeping Arrangements: Setting up a comfortable sleeping area for the caregiver, such as a nearby bed or a cozy corner with blankets, ensures they can rest and be ready to provide care as needed.
- Self-Care Supplies: Stock up on self-care items like extra toiletries, snacks, and disposable items such as paper plates and tissues. These simple supplies can make a big difference in the caregiver’s ability to focus on their duties without becoming overwhelmed.
- Caregiver Support: Many hospice services offer additional support for caregivers, including respite care, counseling, and volunteer assistance. Don’t hesitate to reach out for these resources, as they can provide much-needed relief and emotional support.
Choosing Pathways for Your Hospice Care
At Pathways, we understand the profound emotional and physical journey that both patients and their families experience during hospice care. If you are preparing for home hospice care, Pathways is here to support you every step of the way.
We invite you to reach out to us for more information on how we can help you create a comforting and supportive environment for your loved one.