Making Thanksgiving Special for a Hospice Patient

Thanksgiving is often a time of celebration for families, friends, and loved ones. But what if you're celebrating Thanksgiving with someone who is nearing their end of life? If your family member is facing hospice care, they may not want to have a big Thanksgiving celebration. Or maybe their doctor doesn't recommend them traveling. In either case, here are some easy, thoughtful ways to make Thanksgiving special!

1. Send Flowers

Flowers are a great way to brighten anyone's day. Not only do they smell amazing, but they look beautiful and feel good to hold. And since you'll be sending these flowers to a person who's probably feeling down, you might as well use them to cheer them up too. You can also choose to send potted plants instead of cut flowers, which will brighten your loved one’s space longer.

2. Cook a Meal Together

Cooking meals together is a great way to connect with each other, especially if you don't get to eat out much. Whether it's turkey, ham, or a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, cooking together is a fun way to share memories and create new ones. If they aren’t feeling up to cooking, you can place a comfortable chair in the kitchen so they can interact with you. Ask them to share some of their favorite recipes, and be sure to write them down for the following generations to enjoy.

3. Play Games

Playing board games or card games is a great way to spend quality time with people. You can play anything from Monopoly to Trivial Pursuit. Playing games makes everyone laugh and helps pass the time when you're spending time together.

4. Make a Memory

It is important to enjoy every moment you have left with your loved one. Consider making a craft project together, or taking a family photo, or recording a video of your loved one sharing one of their favorite stories. You can also share some of your most cherished memories with your loved one of the special things they did for you over the years.

5. Take Them Somewhere Special

If your loved one still lives in a town where you spent a lot of time with them, consider taking them on a driving tour of cherished places. As you drive to each place, you can share stories of what happened there and why the place reminds you of your loved one.

6. Create a Memory Box

Ask your loved one to give you several items to place in a box that will get re-opened by the family every Thanksgiving. Be sure to write down why they chose each object, and record the stories that go along with it. As the years go on, family members can start adding their own things to the box - letters, photos, small objects, children’s artwork or school projects…. the list goes on and on.