When your loved one enters hospice for the first time, it’s overwhelming for everyone involved. There are new routines to learn, emotions to process, and decisions to make. While you and your loved one may face difficulties navigating your new normal, having an unwavering support system can help make the transition easier.

Family involvement plays a vital role in hospice care. Having a familiar face around can bring comfort, peace, and security to your family member. In this blog, we’re highlighting why family involvement matters, ways you can support your loved one, and what resources are offered to you through hospice.

Why family involvement in hospice matters 

When families take an active role in their loved one’s hospice journey, it helps create a sense of comfort, familiarity, and peace during an emotionally challenging time. Your presence alone can provide a familiar face that eases feelings of fear and loneliness, offering a sense of security and reassurance.

When family members participate in discussions and care planning with the hospice care team, they can help the care team provide personalized and meaningful care that honors their loved one’s wishes and personal beliefs. This partnership between family and the care team fosters trust, open communication, and a shared goal of supporting your loved one through their journey.

By staying engaged, families gain a deeper understanding of hospice care, feel more confident in decision-making, and experience a sense of peace knowing they’re helping their loved one receive personalized, compassionate care.

How families can get involved 

Having the opportunity to partake in your loved one’s care can make the experience more meaningful for both of you. Playing an active role in their end-of-life care ensures they’re receiving the personalized comfort and care they deserve. There are several ways you can stay engaged, including actively participating in their care and simply being present to create more meaningful memories.

Hospice can throw a lot of information at you and your loved one in a short amount of time, so it’s essential to ask questions, clarify expectations, and offer insights into your loved one’s wishes and personal beliefs. Open communication allows you and the care team to work seamlessly to provide compassionate care tailored to their preferences.

Additionally, your presence is invaluable during this time. Sharing meals, reminiscing, doing activities, and being involved in their day-to-day care can make a positive impact on their overall well-being.

Playing an active role in their hospice care allows you to create more meaningful memories and make the most of your time together.

Hospice resources available to family members 

While hospice’s main priority is providing care to your loved one, they also offer resources to caregivers and family members that can help make this journey easier for you.

Hospice understands that caring for someone with a life-limiting illness can be emotionally and physically demanding. Your loved one’s hospice care team can provide the education and guidance you need to confidently care for your loved one at home. Your hospice team can also help connect your family member with a volunteer who can offer companionship and an extra set of hands to help with simple day-to-day tasks.

Beyond caregiving support, hospice provides resources for emotional and spiritual care, including counseling and bereavement services to help you and your family process and cope before and after your loss.

These resources aim to provide extra comfort to you, so you can continue to actively participate in your loved one’s care.

Northern Illinois Hospice is here to provide compassionate end-of-life care

At Northern Illinois Hospice, we understand that every hospice journey is unique, which is why each care plan is tailored to the person’s goals and wishes. We take that information and create a team of individuals that can provide compassionate end-of-life care for your loved one.

As the first hospice provider in the region, Northern Illinois Hospice has been helping people transition to hospice care for more than 45 years. Our team provides compassionate end-of-life care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

We honor patients and their wishes by providing specialized care that treats the person, not the disease. We offer a wide range of palliative and hospice care to improve your loved one’s quality of life in their final months.

Our experienced team of healthcare professionals, social workers, and volunteers is here to ensure your loved one’s comfort and support.

Get even more support with The Reading Room

Because hospice care offers so many services and benefits to patients, families, and providers, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to navigate. That’s why we created The Reading Room.

The Reading Room is a special place where people can learn and grow in their understanding of hospice and palliative care, anytime and anywhere. It’s like having a whole library in the palm of your hand or with a click of your mouse. With dozens of articles and helpful how-to videos in both English and Spanish, The Reading Room can serve as a helpful guide.

To learn more about our palliative or hospice services or how we can help you navigate end-of-life care for your loved ones, call us today at (815) 398-0500.