One of the most meaningful parts of hospice is the ability to receive care from the comfort of home. Familiar surroundings can help your loved one feel more at ease during a difficult time. 

Small and thoughtful changes to your loved one’s home can help them feel more at peace while respecting their dignity and wishes. In this blog, we’re sharing a few tips for creating a calming, peaceful environment at home for your loved one in hospice. 

Keep familiar items and routines in place

Most people prefer receiving hospice care at home instead of in a nursing home or other inpatient facility because of the sense of familiarity it provides. Staying at home means your loved one can be surrounded by friends and family, memories, and routines that are important to them. When they begin hospice, try to keep meaningful items nearby and simple routines in place if they’re able.

Try not to shift items around too much so the space continues to feel natural and recognizable. Maintaining daily routines that bring your family member comfort, such as spending time in their favorite chair or watching familiar shows, can also help reduce anxiety. 

Being surrounded by the people and things they love can make the hospice journey feel more manageable, both physically and emotionally.

Make their space easy to navigate 

Having a safe, easy-to-navigate layout is another way to create a peaceful hospice environment. As your loved one progresses on their hospice journey, they may receive additional medical equipment like beds, oxygen tanks, or mobility aids that take up more room than you’re used to. Making space to accommodate those needs can help the home continue to feel supportive rather than crowded.

At home, create a clear path for mobility aids like walkers or canes so your loved one is less likely to trip on rugs or bump into objects. Keep essentials within reach so they’re easy to access when needed. During this time, you may want to hold off on rearranging furniture, since familiar placement can help your loved one feel more secure. 

Making small adjustments to your loved one’s home can help it feel more inviting and warm, helping them stay calm during this time. 

Adjust lighting, sound, and temperature to meet their needs

Creating a calming, relaxing atmosphere for your loved one can support their emotional well-being. While adequate lighting is necessary for safety, using softer lighting can help relax your loved one. Bright overhead lighting can sometimes feel harsh, while warmer lighting feels more welcoming and inviting. 

Playing familiar music or keeping a favorite movie or show on in the background is another way to help your loved one feel comfortable and calm. Additionally, maintaining a consistent room temperature can help them feel relaxed. 

Finding small ways to create a peaceful hospice setting at home can help your loved one remain in a familiar place even as their needs change.

Add personal touches to their space so it feels like home 

As your loved one’s needs change, it’s common to receive more medical supplies and equipment. While it may seem overwhelming in some situations, you should keep their space as personal and welcoming as possible.

Even as care becomes more involved, small touches can help prevent their home from feeling overly clinical. Keeping meaningful décor visible, incorporating favorite blankets or photos, and arranging equipment to minimize clutter can help maintain a warm, supportive environment.  

These intentional adjustments can help your loved one’s home continue to reflect their personality and highlight what’s meaningful to them. 

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 care 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.