How to Help a Depressed Hospice Patient
A person going through the end stages of life can experience a wide variety of emotions, and, unfortunately, depression can be one of those. Supporting your parent through hospice care is an act of profound kindness, especially if they're feeling distressed by depression.
Navigating the emotional landscape of hospice can be daunting for both the patient and family members; you as their adult child play an essential role in providing comfort, understanding and support during this significant phase of your parent's life. Every person is different, but here are a few ideas that might help you care for them by meeting all their emotional and psychological needs to help ensure that they have as much peace and meaning as possible until their final breaths.
Understand Your Parents Emotional Journey
Depression in hospice patients, including your parent, may stem from several sources, including loss of independence, fear of pain and concern over family's future plans - or simply facing death itself. Recognizing these feelings as part of natural grieving process for lives they're leaving behind is the first step; when these escalate into persistent sadness or profound despair it could indicate clinical depression as the culprit.
Building Connections
Establishing an environment in which your parent feels free to express themselves can make all the difference when dealing with loneliness and isolation. Showing empathy, practicing active listening techniques and validating their emotions are great ways of helping alleviate feelings of being Alone; let them know they're not alone and their feelings will be acknowledged and respected by you as they navigate this challenging period of their life.
Encouraging Creative Expression
Encourage your parent to express themselves emotionally through conversation, writing, art, or music - creative outlets may provide therapeutic relief while simultaneously fulfilling feelings. Engaging with spiritual or religious practices may offer additional comfort while answering existential queries.
Achieve Physical Comfort
Assuring the physical comfort of your parent can significantly impact their emotional well-being; unmanaged pain and discomfort can exacerbate depression. Work closely with our hospice care team to address any physical symptoms as well as activities which will uphold their spirits such as light exercise, outdoor time or engaging hobbies that bring enjoyment for everyone involved.
Establishing Social Connections
Maintaining social ties for your parent's mental wellbeing is of utmost importance. Arrange for family and friends to visit them regularly, while using technology as needed to stay in contact and combat feelings of isolation by engaging the world. Staying engaged helps reduce feelings of isolation while offering much-needed distraction and comfort.
Seeking Professional Assistance
If your parent shows signs of significant depression, don't wait to seek professional assistance. Mental health specialists specializing in end-of-life care can provide invaluable support and therapy tailored specifically for their needs, while they may assess whether medication or other interventions would help manage depressive symptoms more efficiently.
Leverage Volunteer Services
Hospice organizations frequently provide volunteer services where caring people can offer companionship and engage in engaging activities with your parent. This can help them see that other people care about them too, and can also give you a much-needed break so you can recharge yourself. For more information about the volunteer services we offer, please check out our Volunteers page here.
Support the Family Unit
Your well-being, along with that of other family members and caregivers is of vital importance in this journey. Make an effort to educate yourselves on depression as it applies to hospice care; seek support; engage in self-care practices. A strong family can offer stronger assistance for your parent.
Generating Meaningful Moments
Helping your parent find peace in their remaining days can be tremendously therapeutic. This may involve fulfilling last wishes, sharing stories or memories or encouraging meaningful dialogue and reconciliations - these moments of significance provide comfort and an enduring legacy to them both.
Addressing Spiritual Needs
If your parent values spirituality or religion, make sure they receive appropriate spiritual care - whether this involves visits from a chaplain, discussions about life and meaning, or participation in religious practices which provide solace and peace. We have a Spiritual Care Coordinator devoted to helping families and hospice patients find the support and spiritual assistance they need, either directly from us or from a variety of amazing people in our community. To learn more, please visit our Spiritual Care page here.
Adjust to Changed Needs Now
Your parent's emotional and psychological needs may evolve over time, and regular dialogue with your hospice care team can keep you attuned with these changes to provide appropriate assistance. Being flexible and responsive to their requirements is key in providing excellent care services for them.
Conclusion
As an adult child supporting a parent who is experiencing depression can be both challenging and profoundly rewarding. By understanding their emotional journey, encouraging open dialogue, assuring physical comfort, providing emotional and spiritual support during this stage in their life as best you can; you can make their experience with hospice care peaceful and rewarding for them and you alike. Just know there are resources and support systems in place to assist both you and them during this challenging journey.