You have called hospice for a loved one who is nearing the end of life. The decision to die at home has been made. You want a peaceful environment to ease the coming days. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Noise Level
Some things are generally universal regardless of how different people have lived their lives. By the time a person has gone into hospice care, a peaceful environment is invaluable. That is not to say that a person who has a life-ending illness demands total quiet. Some people relish the idea of having the sound of loud life going on around them. They aren’t dead yet! But the less stress and turmoil there is to endure, the more restful and calm this time of reflection can be.
Lighting
Too often, people might feel an ill person wants a dark room, and oftentimes, that is the case. Something to consider, though, is that the more brightness in a room, the easier it will be for your loved one to get around, especially if the ill person is older. Rooms with lots of natural lighting can improve accessibility and safety for seniors. Not all hospice patients are bedridden. An open window with light shining in could make a difference in their mood as well as being a safety factor. Sunlight tends to allow a better frame of mind and outlook on life. A person’s end of life can be a joyous time, a time for remembering, and a time for being grateful. Getting fresh air while looking out a window at a blue sky or pretty flowers can be beneficial.
The Importance of Family
At the end of life, many people want to tie up loose ends. For family members, this can be one of the most heartbreaking times in saying goodbye to a loved one. Regardless of differences and arguments over a lifetime, saying goodbye while knowing all is forgiven can make a loved one’s dying easier to accept. Hospice care is for family members as well as the patient. Counseling and respite are available to everyone involved to help in the grieving process, which usually begins long before a loved one’s death.
Dying is the last step we go through in life as we know it. Hospice is available to help in the ultimate transition to death and also in making the change from a hospital or nursing home to being at home in a peaceful environment before the final journey.
