Many hospice patients don’t have the energy to do many activities, but still want to keep their mind busy. Audiobooks are the perfect solution, as you can relax and listen to a book about any topic you can imagine. Here are some of our recommendations.

Being thirsty is an unpleasant sensation, and can be even more difficult to bear for a home hospice patient, especially if they are bedridden. Dehydration can also lead to consequences such as causing strain and discomfort for the throat, decreasing the effectiveness of medications, and can even lead to serious health complications. Caregivers must learn to recognize the signs of dehydration early and have strategies and plans in place to ensure that their loved one receives adequate amounts of fluid despite challenges such as difficulty swallowing or mobility limitations.

As the summer months near, home hospice patients and their caregivers must strive to maintain an ideal indoor environment. Rising temperatures and increased humidity necessitate proper cooling, ventilation, and overall comfort measures for end-of-life care patients to ensure they can maintain quality of life throughout their end stages of care.

Hospice journeys often bring waves of emotions - sadness, fear, anxiety, and even profound guilt are often felt simultaneously by families on this journey. Caregivers and close relatives may feel guilty over aspects of how you are caring for a terminally ill loved one, regret over past actions, or even feel guilty for how they are processing their personal feelings of grief during the hospice process.

Home hospice enables your loved one to spend the final months in familiar surroundings, with family nearby and away from cold, impersonal places like hospitals and care centers. An interdisciplinary hospice team offers tailored services and 24/7 availability while giving primary caregivers some respite and support.

As you navigate this transitional period, selecting an ideal home hospice provider is crucial. Not all hospices offer equal services in terms of quality of service delivery, staffing levels, extra offerings, or philosophy of care - this decision could have a profound effect on both your loved one's final days as well as on your family's experience during your loved one’s final days, which is a tough time, no matter what.

For hospice patients spending a significant amount of time in bed due to their illness, maximizing comfort and preventing bedsores take top priority. Even simple adjustments in bedding, positioning, and assistive products can make a tremendous difference in alleviating pain and increasing physical and emotional well-being. As a caregiver, you have the power to transform their bed into a soothing, pressure-relieving oasis.

Witnessing your parent struggle against cancer and enter hospice care is one of life's most heartbreaking experiences. Serving as their caregiver presents unique emotional challenges as you navigate the day-to-day tasks of meeting their needs while balancing your own emotional experiences. However many family caregivers find immense joy and satisfaction in being able to provide their parents with comfort when needed most.

It is difficult enough for a person to experience Alzheimer’s. Hospice can add an extra layer of complication, both for the patient and their loved ones. One of the advantages of hospice-at-home services, like those provided by Coastal Home Health & Hospice, is that the patient is able to stay in a familiar environment, surrounded by the things they know and love.

There are certain foods you can eat that can make a positive impact on your energy levels, most of which are very easy to find and easy to add into your diet. Your appetite can vary widely from day to day, and there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all perfect diet. But even small changes can make a noticeable difference

As a caregiver for a terminally ill loved one, you're engaged in one of life's most challenging yet meaningful roles. Providing comfort, compassion, and round-the-clock care requires tremendous physical, mental, and emotional energy. And while caregiving can be an incredibly rewarding experience, it's essential to prevent burnout by taking breaks for self-care. This is where respite care can be a lifeline.

As we age, our homes become even more precious to us. Over the years, we surround ourselves with memories, cherished objects, personal touches, and other things that bring us comfort and joy. Having our own home, whether it is an apartment, condo, home, or other dwelling, also gives us a sense of independence.

Engaging in creative activities like arts and crafts can bring immense joy and solace to both patients and their families. Crafting gives us time to keep our hands busy while allowing us to chat and connect with each other. It is also a great way to get little ones to spend time with their older relatives, making memories (and projects!) that both can treasure.

Speech therapy often brings to mind interventions designed to enhance fluency, pronunciation and loudness; typically in settings like schools or rehabilitation centers. Yet speech therapists play an invaluable role in hospice care - from improving swallowing difficulties and cognitive support needs, to making sure patients can maintain dignity and autonomy throughout their lives.

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.

Families needing home hospice care must find the most appropriate provider as quickly as possible; choosing this choice is deeply personal, yet can drastically impact quality of care during final days of a loved one. As there are various providers to consider when making this important choice; here is our comprehensive checklist designed to aid them in making this important choice.

Valentine's Day gets a bad rep for being an overly sentimental day that either pressures you to do some over-the-top gesture for your significant other, or reminds you of your “flying solo” status. And while those things certainly happen, Valentine’s Day also gives us a chance to celebrate the love we feel for all the special people in our lives - including our loved ones in hospice.

Memories are the most precious treasures we gather in life. They are the puzzle pieces that come together to create the whole picture of our experiences, joys, and relationships. In the journey of hospice care, the importance of capturing and preserving these moments for the loved ones who remain becomes more important than ever.

The comfort and companionship provided by pets can be a source of profound healing and joy. For many patients, a beloved pet is not just an animal but a cherished member of the family, a constant companion through life's ups and downs.

As the winter season unfolds, the chill in the air can bring about specific challenges for those in hospice care. The cold weather not only affects the physical comfort of hospice patients but also has implications for their overall well-being. And even though your loved one likely stays at home most of the time, there are still factors to consider for keeping them comfortable in their house and while transporting them to doctor appointments (or even just to help them get out of the house for a little while!).