When a loved one in Cincinnati enters hospice care, you know that they have reached the final chapter of life. You may feel quite emotional, overwhelmed at the thought of preparing for their death, but ensuring that your cherished family member or friend can enjoy a peaceful and comfortable end-of-life experience is of the utmost importance.
Hospice care providers offer a range of supportive services — including palliative care, counseling, spiritual guidance, bereavement support and help with practical matters – and the overall goal in hospice is to improve the quality of life as the end draws near. Having said that, there are steps you can take to get behind that goal. Keep reading to learn how you can see to it that the person you hold dear has the best possible quality of life for whatever time remains.
Give Your Loved One Control
After entering hospice care, people often struggle with feelings of helplessness. The inevitability of death, the need for ongoing support, the inability to change the situation – all of this can lead to depression and a reduced overall quality of life.
To ease your loved one’s suffering and improve their experience in hospice, try giving them as much control as possible. Respecting their meal preferences, allowing them to make decisions regarding the daily schedule and letting them indulge in whatever activities they like can foster a sense of independence. With that comes a brighter outlook and a calmer mind, both of which can make a world of difference to someone in hospice care.
Provide the Means to Live Comfortably
Many people who are terminally ill experience pain, discomfort and other troubling symptoms on a daily basis. Hospice doctors, nurses and therapists do all they can to provide relief, but it may be up to you to create a more comfortable environment.
In order to bring the necessary medical equipment into your loved one’s Cincinnati home, some of their furnishings likely had to be moved. Their bedroom may have even been relocated to a more easily accessible area. In any case, their living spaces may not feel all that homey. Making the setting more pleasant – installing privacy screens, perhaps, or adding family photos, favorite belongings and personal comfort items – can go a long way towards improving quality of life in hospice care.
Be Present to Ease the Burden
Hospice patients are cared for by a team of specialists, all of whom are committed to ensuring comfort during the final chapter of life. However, even the most compassionate and dedicated hospice professionals can’t take the place of those nearest and dearest.
With that in mind, visiting your loved one as often as you can – and motivating others to do so as well – can help ensure that they have an enjoyable end-of-life experience. The presence of family and friends and the unwavering support they bring can mean a lot to a hospice patient, as spending time with the most important people allows for greater peace and contentment at the end of life. By simply being there, you can enhance the quality of life for a loved one in hospice care.
Communicate to Stay Connected
The last thing anyone wants is to have regrets at the end of life, and to that end, hospice patients are encouraged to make their needs, preferences and wishes known. But during the final chapter, many people crave connections with others.
Communication is essential to ensuring inner peace and fulfillment as the last moments draw near. Taking time to discuss practicalities is important, as is asking questions and working through problems. And if the two of you have any lingering issues, clear the air now, making sure that your loved one feels supported. Chat about happy memories, too, and have meaningful conversations about the things that really matter to you both. Keep the communication lines open, and you’ll help keep your loved one in good spirits.
Bring Special Treats When You Visit
It isn’t unusual for the terminally ill to experience appetite loss, particularly as the end of life approaches. Hospice care providers develop detailed dietary plans to ensure that patients get the nutrition they need, but this doesn’t mean other foods are off the menu.
Bringing your loved one their favorite home-cooked meal or a much-loved treat from a nearby Cincinnati bakery may uplift their mood – actions like these show that you truly care, and that’s significant for someone in hospice care. If they’re not interested in eating, consider a thoughtful gift. A digital photo frame or a small album of photos could be ideal, or to provide comfort, bring a cozy blanket, a soothing candle or a spiritual gift. But remember that your time is the greatest gift, and that can’t be replaced by any treat.
Call on Suncrest Hospice of Cincinnati
Preparing for the death of someone you hold dear – while providing them with the support they need now — is quite challenging. But you don’t have to face the situation on your own. The professional team at Suncrest Hospice of Cincinnati is here to help, and we’ll make every effort to ensure that you and your loved one can enjoy the time you have left together. For more information and tips on how to ensure the best possible quality of life for someone in hospice care, contact us today.
