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Visiting a loved one in hospice can be emotionally trying for family and friends. However, it’s an incredibly important way to offer support, and there are ways to organize the visits so the person knows you care about them and you don’t find yourself too sad or uncomfortable when you leave. The following are three simple tips to follow if you love a person who is receiving palliative care.

A Guide to Visiting Someone in Hospice Care

1. Stay Calm

This tip will help you feel better about the visits and be a reassuring presence to your loved one, regardless of how they are feeling that day. Try to be as relaxed as possible before you enter the room. This might involve taking a few extra minutes to center yourself before you go in or giving yourself a coffee break if you’re finding the visit too overwhelming. Each time you feel upset, remind yourself you are there simply to show this person you care.

2. Go With the Flow

hospiceThere’s no need to go in armed with funny stories or plenty of conversation. Because many hospice patients have a mix of good and bad days, just be prepared to go with whatever is occurring that day. If they’re feeling well, chat with them about a topic of interest or read them a book. If they’d rather rest or appear to be down and just want to stay quiet, that’s okay, too; bring a newspaper and sit by the bed while you keep them company.

3. Schedule Short Visits With a Friend

The loved ones of patients receiving palliative care often find they need some support, too. If there’s another family member who’s been meaning to visit, ask them to go with you. You can even ask a friend to take the trip with you and sit in the lobby while you go into the room. Also, don’t be afraid to keep the visits short. People in hospice are often tired, and 20 minutes with someone they care about will be more than enough.

 

With five locations in New York’s Finger Lakes region, Lifetime Care has provided compassionate hospice and home health care services since 1960. In addition to attending to the physical health of their more than 33,000 patients, they also support the families of those receiving the care. If you have questions about their services or want more tips to make visiting a loved one receiving palliative care easier, call (585) 214-1000. To learn more about their offerings, visit them online today.

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