How Do I Make My Uncle Comfortable in Hospice Care?
Published in Collegian by Jacob Maslow
My uncle has a terminal disease, and after years of fighting, he has been given just a few months to live. He is going to be put in hospice care at-home, and I would like to make him as comfortable as possible. Do you have any recommendations on what I can do to make sure his last days are comfortable?
Hospice doesn’t mean that your loved one will be gone in a month or two. In general, hospice means that a patient will live for six months or less. But we’ve all heard stories of a person living for much longer than their doctors suggest. Doctors often underestimate the time a person has left to live, and if the person lives longer, no one generally complains.
The goal will be to keep your loved one comfortable.
Hospice care will help with pain management, and this is best left to the professionals. Hospice caregivers will come to the home and ensure that your loved one is giving the best pain medication and following their treatment plans. But you can help in other ways. As a person becomes weaker, they’ll have trouble with everyday tasks, even including eating and balancing. Independent living aids can help a lot.
“With independent living aids and other products including reachers, grab bars, eating utensils, thickening powder and more, you can make simple changes in your home that will make your loved ones feel safer, more independent and, most importantly, more at home,” explains AvaCare Medical.
Lack of preparation has been associated with:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
Discuss your uncle’s needs with his doctor. The doctor will be able to alert you of any items that you can purchase or have in the home that will best help your uncle.
Bed placement will be equally important. The bed, if your uncle is bed ridden, should be accessible by friends and family. Your uncle doesn’t want to be locked away in a room alone at all times. Family time, sharing memories and doing things will keep his spirits up.
If he is stable enough and can walk or be put in a wheelchair, bring him out to a ball game or to a restaurant.
Family time can lift a loved one’s spirits.
One of the things I remember my mother complaining about towards the end of her life was that she was so bored and wanted to do things. She was on oxygen, so she was slightly limited in her ability to go out for long periods of time.
Find activities to do with your uncle even if that means watching his favorite movies or going for a stroll around the neighborhood. If he is stuck in the home with nothing to do, depression will start to set in. Comfort is also important, and this means ambient lighting and soothing sounds. Try your best not to disturb your uncle, and also make it a point to keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for him. He may have hot flashes, or medication can make him feel cold. Cater to these needs as best as you can.
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