Christmas morning carries a special magic—a time when families traditionally gather to share joy, exchange gifts, and create lasting memories. When a loved one is in hospice care, ensuring they remain an integral part of these precious moments requires thoughtful planning and creativity. With care and consideration, you can create a Christmas morning that honors both tradition and your loved one's current needs.

The holiday season often arrives with a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities, especially for those caring for a loved one in hospice. For those seeking to offer a thoughtful gift, the challenge is finding something meaningful that can be acquired or prepared quickly, without adding extra stress to an already demanding situation.

Here are a few of our favorite last-minute gift ideas.

The twinkling lights, the festive music, the endless stream of cheerful greetings—the holiday season can feel like an emotional minefield for those who have walked the challenging path of caregiving and loss. If you find yourself struggling to match the world's jubilant mood, know that your feelings are valid, normal, and deeply human. The journey of caring for a loved one through illness and hospice leaves an indelible mark on your heart, and the holidays can bring those experiences into sharp, sometimes painful focus.

The holiday season can be an especially challenging time for families who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. For those who have walked the difficult path of caring for a parent through hospice, with children witnessing the final stages of their grandparent's life, the holidays can feel like a landscape of mixed emotions—a terrain of both profound loss and unexpected tenderness.

The holiday season can be an incredibly complex emotional landscape when you're facing the impending loss of a loved one. Anticipatory grief – the profound sorrow experienced before an expected loss – can feel overwhelming, especially during a time traditionally associated with joy and togetherness. As you walk this difficult path, remember that your feelings are valid, and there are ways to find comfort and meaning during this challenging time.

When a loved one is in hospice care, the question of whether they can travel often arises. The short answer is that it is possible, but it requires careful planning and coordination with the hospice team.

When a parent is receiving hospice care, and especially when they are bed-bound, celebrating Thanksgiving requires thoughtful adaptation – but it doesn't mean the holiday can't be special and meaningful. With some creative planning, you can bring the warmth and joy of Thanksgiving to your loved one's bedside, creating precious memories for the whole family.

As autumn's shorter days and longer nights settle in, many family caregivers may notice changes in their loved one's emotional well-being. While it's natural for hospice patients to experience periods of sadness, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can add an additional layer of complexity to their emotional health. As an adult child caring for a parent in hospice, understanding this seasonal pattern can help you provide more effective and compassionate support during the darker months.

When caring for a parent in home hospice, it's natural to focus on their medical needs. And while this is critical, it is also helpful to remember that hospice is focused on giving the patient the best end-of-life experience possible, and we believe that this means more than just making sure they are receiving the right medical care.

Listen in on this exciting interview of Jamie Daugherty, our CEO, on the Doc and Jacques show on KCIW Brookings. You’ll learn about some of Coastal’s history, how Jamie got started in hospice management, and hear how she plans to keep Coastal growing and thriving for many years to come.

Caring for a parent in home hospice is a journey filled with love, challenges, and profound moments. As adult children taking on this important role, you're navigating unfamiliar territory while providing comfort and support to your loved one. To help you along this path, here are five practical tips that can make your caregiving experience more manageable and meaningful.

Caring for a loved one in hospice is a profound and meaningful journey, one that requires a unique blend of skills, knowledge, and compassion. As adult children taking on the role of caregivers for your parents in home hospice, you're embarking on a challenging yet deeply rewarding experience.

When your parent enters home hospice care, finding the right caregiver becomes a top priority. Some people can take on the role of caregiver for their parents, but for many others, they need to hire a caregiver either on a part-time or full-time basis.

When a loved one enters hospice care, it's natural for the focus to shift towards medical needs and comfort. However, this time can also be an opportunity to celebrate life, create joyful memories, and honor your loved one's journey. Planning meaningful events and gatherings during hospice care can bring moments of happiness, connection, and closure for both the patient and their family.

Our CEO, Jamie Daugherty, was recetly interviewed by Jacques on KFUG in Crescent City. They talk about our company’s history and Jamie shares stories and the history of hospice around the world.

When a family member enters hospice care, it affects everyone in the family, including the youngest members. As a caregiver, you might find yourself wondering how to explain this situation to children. It's a delicate task, but with the right approach, you can help children understand and cope with what's happening. This guide will help you navigate these challenging conversations with compassion and clarity.

When facing the challenges of a terminal illness, finding ways to stay engaged and maintain a sense of purpose can significantly improve a patient's quality of life. For bed-bound hospice patients, pursuing hobbies can provide comfort, stimulation, and a welcome distraction from discomfort or anxiety. They can also offer a sense of independence and personal identity.

As we provide compassionate care for our loved ones in hospice, we often encounter challenges that require both sensitivity and practical solutions. One such challenge is incontinence, a common issue for many hospice patients due to various factors including medication side effects, reduced mobility, or the progression of their condition.

When we think about hospice care, we often focus on physical comfort and medical support. However, at Coastal Home Health and Hospice, we understand that true end-of-life care encompasses much more than just the physical. It's about caring for the whole person, including their spiritual needs. This is where our dedicated Spiritual Care Coordinator plays a crucial role in ensuring our patients find peace, meaning, and fulfillment in their final days, regardless of their faith background or belief system.

One of the most significant advantages of home hospice care is that it allows patients to remain in their own environment, surrounded by the people and things they love - including their pets. The presence of a familiar animal can have a profoundly positive impact on a patient's emotional well-being. Pets offer unconditional love and acceptance, providing comfort without judgment or expectation. They can be a source of joy, bringing smiles and laughter even on difficult days.