Find Your Role During Your Loved One's Last Days With Hospice

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Hospice care service is designed to provide your loved one with comfort and dignity during the last days of their life. Hospice care at facilities like Orchard Hill at Sudbury Assisted Living Community is not meant to cure your loved one from their illness, but to improve the quality of their last days. Healthcare professionals' goal at this time is to meet the patient's and family's wishes and desires at the end of life and to help you meet those desires. Now that you better understand what hospice is, this article will discuss what role you can play during this trying time.

Focus on quality of life

​Remember that the goal of hospice is to focus on quality of life. Talk to your health care provider about questions or concerns that you have; they are there to help you. Also don't forget to take care of yourself and remember your own quality of life.

  • Take breaks or step away from the house when needed
  • Maintain prior interests
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help
  • Express your feelings and needs to others

Join a supportive group

Joining a supportive group can be a great way to reduce the caregiver burden and stress that you feel. Finding a group that is going through a similar experience as you can help you feel comfort in the fact that you are not alone. As you express your feelings and listen to others, you can hear other people's perspective and learn new ways to cope.

  • Be involved in the group
  • It may be gratifying for you to lift others when they need assistance
  • It may simply help to get out of the house and meet others (find someone to stay with your loved one when you leave the home)

Enjoy family time

Although this time is a trial for you and your family, remember to enjoy this spiritual time together.

  • Reminisce about memories
  • Talk about the joy that your loved one has brought to your life and how much you will miss them
  • Hold the hand of your loved one
  • Cry together if needed—it is important to simply express your feelings

Although the death of your loved one is probably one of the most challenging experiences that you will face in this lifetime, it can be a special and spiritual experience as you focus on quality of life, join a supportive group with others who understand, and enjoy family time. Hospice care is there for you.  

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25 November 2014

Protecting Your Elderly Loved One

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