When you or your loved one is entering in-home hospice care, it’s common to have many questions. What will hospice care look like? What should I expect during the process? How can I prepare my home to make it safe and comfortable during the hospice journey? We understand the weight of this decision and are committed to supporting families every step of the way. In this blog post, we want to help as you prepare your home and heart for in-home hospice care.
Preparing for In-Home Hospice: Creating a Comfortable Space
When you’re preparing for in-home hospice services, it’s important that you have a safe, peaceful space. Here are some tips to help:
1. Choose the Right Room
If possible, choose a room on the ground floor of your home because going up and down stairs can be strenuous and unsafe. It doesn’t have to be a bedroom — just a place where the patient can have some privacy, easy access to a bathroom, and the ability to control light and sound levels. Whichever room you decide on, make sure it has space to comfortably maneuver any medical equipment the patient might need (like a walker, oxygen tank, or wheelchair). Also, the patient’s bedroom often becomes a central area for families to gather — so it’s helpful to have space for a chair or two.
2. Make the Bed Comfortable
Patients in hospice often spend a lot of their time resting in bed. Consider getting a bed that can be easily adjusted to help with things like pressure relief, breathing, and digestion. A bed with casters (wheels) makes it easier to switch rooms if you decide another room better meets the patient’s needs. There are beds that have high/low elevation control, adjustable safety rails, and knee support. If you have questions about medical supplies, your hospice team can help you navigate the options.
3. Reduce Noise and Clutter
It’s important that the patient’s in-home hospice area is calm and peaceful. It’s easy for bedrooms to get cluttered with medical equipment, supplies, and other belongings. A messy space full of obstacles can feel stressful and also pose tripping hazards. Removing clutter helps avoid both of these issues.
You might consider hanging blackout curtains and bringing a white noise machine into the room to control light and sound levels. Small details like these can make a big difference for patients and loved ones.
4. Personalize the Space
Like we mentioned, it’s important to avoid clutter in a hospice room. However, personal touches (like a photo album, a special quilt, or books) can make the room feel more homey and comforting.
Safety Considerations for In-Home Hospice
Remove Tripping Hazards
To make the area safer for the patient (and for caregivers coming in and out and moving equipment!), consider putting non-slip pads under area rugs — or putting them away altogether for the time being. Simplify the area by moving unnecessary furniture and items, and make sure paths are well-lit with motion or night lights. And don’t forget to remove tripping hazards from hallways outside of the room as well.
Install Safety Equipment
As an in-home hospice patient’s illness progresses, they might need extra safety equipment to keep them safe. You might consider installing items like bathroom grab bars, a shower seat, or bed rails depending on their needs. Again, your hospice team can help you determine what safety measures are best in your situation.
Keep Medications Organized
When a patient needs a variety of medicines, it can feel overwhelming (for the patient AND for caregivers). A simple system for keeping track of medications can take away a lot of stress and reduce the risk of errors. It’s a way to give yourself and your family peace of mind knowing their care is under control.
It’s important that your management system is easy to understand and straightforward — like a chart or a spreadsheet. A schedule that lists meds, dosages, and the times that they need to be taken is very helpful. This schedule can be posted in a prominent place, like on the refrigerator or by the medicine cabinet. And speaking of medicine cabinets, it’s best to use one with a lock, especially if there are children or pets in the house.
You might also invest in a pill organizer, a handy little box with compartments for each day of the week and sometimes even different times of the day. They’re a visual, tactile way to account for each dose of medicine. At the beginning of each week, you can fill the organizer according to the medication schedule, which also serves as a way to double-check that everything is on track.
It’s also very helpful to keep a log and note each time a medicine is given to the patient. You might include things like the time, the dose, and any reactions or side effects that follow. A log like this can be a great resource for monitoring treatments and knowing when adjustments are needed.
But remember, your in-home hospice team of nurses, doctors, and other professionals are here to help during this process. We’ll be by your side helping you understand daily care tasks like giving meds.
Know How To Handle (And Identify) Emergencies
When you’re caring for someone in hospice, it’s important to know symptoms and situations to look out for — and whom to call when there’s an emergency. Your hospice nurse will let you know the signs that need urgent attention, like if your loved one is having a hard time breathing, seems really confused all of a sudden, or is in a lot of pain.
Your hospice team will also develop a game plan that everyone understands, including who to call first, what you can do to help the patient while you’re waiting for assistance, and where you keep any emergency supplies. It’s all about making sure you’ve got the info you need right at your fingertips, so you can focus on being there for your loved one.
In-Home Hospice: Involving the Whole Family
Caring for a loved one in hospice is a team effort. This team includes your hospice doctors and nurses, spiritual care coordinators, home health aids, volunteers, and other loved ones. Like any team, it helps when everyone knows their part and feels confident.
When it comes to assigning roles between family members and friends, it’s about more than just who’s helping with medications or personal care. It’s about the everyday tasks that keep a household running smoothly, like grocery shopping, cooking, or paying the bills. And good communication is important to keep everyone in the loop.
Between family and friends, you might consider creating a schedule to keep anyone from feeling overwhelmed. It’s also a way to ensure that everyone gets a chance to spend some precious, quality time with your loved one. This isn’t just about practicalities — it’s about making space for those moments you’ll treasure.
Open communication is the glue that holds the caregiving team together. Our team of in-home hospice professionals are passionate about keeping the communication channels open and providing information in clear, simple terms.
Between family and friends, regular family meetings can be an opportunity to sit down, take a breath, and talk about how things are going. It’s a time for everyone to voice their concerns, share their feelings, and stay up-to-date on any changes in your loved one’s condition. Think of it as a check-in that helps keep everyone on the same page and provides mutual support.
Don’t forget that your hospice team is here to help you through each step of the process.
And through all this, please remember to take care of yourself. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Whether it’s through counseling, spiritual support, or just some quiet time to recharge, it’s so important that each family member has the chance to look after their own well-being. This journey you’re on is a tough one, and looking after yourself is a way to find the strength to keep going, day after day.
Important Things To Know About In-Home Hospice
Hospice Is About Comfort
The focus of hospice isn’t on curative treatments but on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and providing the support the patient needs. When we talk about hospice, we’re really talking about providing a kind of care that prioritizes your loved one’s comfort and dignity. But beyond the physical, hospice care deeply values emotional and spiritual support, ensuring that your loved one’s mental and inner well-being are nurtured during this time.
Hospice Care Provides a Range of Services
In-home hospice care encompasses a range of services, including nursing care, counseling, spiritual care, and volunteer support — all in the comfort of your home. This includes professional medical staff to manage symptoms and medications, integrative therapies, counseling services to support both the patient and family through the emotional challenges of this journey, spiritual care for those who find strength and comfort in their faith, and even volunteer support. These services work together to create a circle of care that surrounds your loved one with the compassion and dignity they deserve.
Hospice Is Usually Covered by Insurance
Hospice care is a benefit provided by Medicare and most private insurances. But since 2005, we’ve been taking care of every person who needs our services (regardless of the cost of care or a patient’s ability to pay). At your consultation, we’ll walk you through the whole insurance process and answer your questions.
Your Hospice Team Is Only a Phone Call Away
During in-home hospice, it’s important to know that help is only a phone call away, day or night. Whether you have a question, a medical concern, or just need someone to talk to, the hospice team is here for you. This safety net ensures you’re never alone in providing care for your loved one.
With Your In-Home Hospice Team by Your Side
As you prepare for in-home hospice care, remember that you are not alone in this journey. Every aspect of hospice is designed to provide comfort, dignity, and support during a patient’s final months and days. At Envision Hospice, we’re dedicated to providing the care, support, and resources you need during this challenging time.