How You Can Be There During Hospice

Hospice Is defined as caring for the terminally ill at home and making their final moments or days as comfortable as possible. This can be a scary time for the client and their loved ones, as it is filled with uncertainty and the unknown. It may feel that you are simply helpless and just waiting for your loved one to pass onto the other realm. While we know that every person will deal with this situation differently, there are some universal ways you can be there for your loved one on hospice.

Try talking to them, even if you think that they do not hear you. This is more therapeutic for you than anything. Remember to tell them everything that you have weighing on your chest. Expressing your feelings can allow you to feel as though you have closure from the situation. If your loved one can carry on conversations with you, try to sit down and talk to them about things that are important to you both. Reminiscing on the good times can help you and your loved one forget about reality for a moment and simply remember better times.

Simply sitting there and being there helps them more than you know. If your loved one that is on hospice is tired and may not want to socialize, you can simply be a warm body in their presence. Bring a good book and sit next to them to read for a few hours. Although they may not feel up to socialization right now, simply being there in case they feel like it is enough. They will appreciate you being there and the gesture.

Try to make them, and your family, as comfortable as possible. As we mentioned above, sometimes you will simply sit with your loved one and spend time with them. Instead of having a room with a hospital bed and a bunch of uncomfortable chairs, try giving your loved one and their family and friends a comfortable space. You can bring colorful and comfortable blankets for your loved one, along with their favorite pillow. Bringing in a television or a laptop to play their favorite TV show allows them to feel more at ease and more at home. Your family would appreciate the gesture of allowing them to sit comfortably in a relaxed state, such as with arm chairs or with candles that make the space feel warmer. Hospice does not have to be sterile and emotionless, it can be a safe space for your loved one to bond with their family and friends.

We know that hospice is a foreign concept and situation for a lot of people. It can feel as though you are waiting for your loved one to pass and you are helpless. This is a normal feeling, but with the tips that we suggested above, we hope that you can make this time as comfortable as possible. 24 Hour Home Care is here for you to take care of your other needs, including light housekeeping and meal preparation, while your loved one is on hospice. We would love to help your family in this time of need.