It’s not easy watching someone you love enter hospice care. It can be an emotionally challenging time for everyone involved. You may find yourself wanting to help but unsure of where to lend a helping hand. The truth is, even small, thoughtful gestures can make a lasting impact on your loved one as they navigate their end-of-life journey.

In this blog, we’re covering four meaningful ways you can show your support for any friends or family members in hospice care. 

Provide comfort and emotional support 

Your loved one may be seeking emotional support and comfort during this challenging time. Simply being present can have a meaningful impact on their hospice journey, even if you don’t know what to say. Sitting quietly beside them, holding their hand, or sharing a comforting presence can bring a sense of peace.

If you’re unsure of how to help, ask your loved one how they would like you to support them and honor their wishes. Some may want someone to listen as they share their thoughts or worries. Others may find comfort in talking about memories, favorite stories, or meaningful moments from their life. Hospice can be emotionally taxing, so finding ways to ensure your loved one feels seen, heard, and supported can bring them comfort when they need it most. 

Offer help with small, daily tasks 

Another way to support your loved one in hospice care is by offering a helping hand with small, everyday tasks. Some examples of these include:

• Assisting with laundry
• Preparing a meal
• Coordinating meal trains
• Running errands
• Providing short periods of relief for the main caregiver

These small gestures can ease the physical and emotional load that families often carry. Instead of asking them to tell you how to help, try offering specific suggestions. It may make it easier for the caregiver or family to accept support.

Even the smallest task can bring comfort and peace during an emotionally challenging time. Your willingness to assist the family in any way can help. 

Provide emotional support and encouragement for the primary caregiver 

The primary caregiver typically devotes all of their time and energy to caring for their loved one in hospice. This new responsibility can make a person feel easily overwhelmed and burnt out. By offering words of encouragement or temporary relief, you can help them avoid burnout and give them a chance to recharge both physically and emotionally.

Some ways you can help out caregivers include:

• Check in on their well-being
• Bring them coffee, meals, or self-care items
• Offer companionship and listen as they talk through their emotions
• Remind them of the resources available through their hospice provider

Even small gestures of kindness can remind caregivers that they are not alone, and that their compassion and strength truly make a difference.

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.