Hospice Provides Ambiance And Comfort Care At The Bedside

Keeping clients comfortable, cared for, and in a soothing environment is a top priority for hospice providers. We want clients to die surrounded by the things that bring them the greatest ease and peace of mind. One way to do this is by upholding the ambiance around the deathbed in the manner our clients prefer.

We do this in various ways, including creating detailed end-of-life plans that include a client’s wishes and preferences (along with what they don’t want) in the months, weeks, and days leading up to their death.

End-Of-Life Care: Providing Soothing Ambiance And Comforting Care

One of the many benefits of exploring hospice care in the earlier stages of a terminal diagnosis – or as life begins to wane for those in their late 80s or 90s – is the ability to create clear end-of-life plans. This includes the right to say what you do and don’t want in the time you have left. In the early end-of-life stages, when a client is still relatively active, this may include trips or outings to visit special people or places or spending as much time outdoors, or attending favorite events or social gatherings. Later on, when loved ones become housebound or bedbound, we work to create an ambiance that honors their ideas of comfort.

Use Your Five Senses When Discussing End-of-Life Experiences

One of the we do this is by thinking about the five senses, which usually remain with us right until the very end. Even if someone has their eyes closed or they are hard of hearing, they still have a sense of the world around them via shifts in light, vibration, touch, taste, and the energy of those who come to spend time with them. If you are one of our hospice clients, we’ll discuss these concepts when discussing your end-of-life plans, which may also include a vigil plan (who/what do you want to surround you when you’re actively dying).

What do you want to see?

The world shrinks considerably once a person is home and then bedbound. Therefore, we do our best to create a visual experience that brings them joy, peace, or comfort. If your loved one lives alone and family is far away, tending to pleasant and soothing visual esthetics at the bedside is a great job for a hospice volunteer. This typically includes things like:

• Putting up pictures of their loved ones.
• Hanging beautiful wall hangings or fabric if walls are relatively blank or providing a neutral background if their new space isn’t personalized (like in a common living area, nursing homes, or hospital environments).
• Posting pictures of nature scenes if they lack a beautiful window view.
• Hanging posters of their favorite natural environment or photos they/their partner took on favorite vacations.
• Having live plants or fresh flowers in easy-to-see but out-of-the-way locations (high-quality synthetic flowers/plants also enhance a space if there’s nobody to tend to live or cut options)
• Candles (we usually use battery-operated candles in facility environments or homes without continuous caregivers to ensure the flame is safely extinguished.)

A little visual appeal goes a long way toward comforting someone who can’t leave their bedroom space anymore. If a person is bed-bound for over a few weeks, consider changing things around and bringing fresh options into the mix so it doesn’t become stale or boring. When patients are actively transitioning into death, they may not want bright lights, so we’ll pay attention to body cues and use shades, dimmers, etc., to prevent light that is too bright or harsh.

Create a soothing ambiance and comfort care through music

This can vary so much from person to person and where they are in their end-of-life journey. Most of us prefer the same playlists we always have in the early days. However, if a person struggles with pain or discomfort or breathing becomes challenging, they may have a “soothing” or “relaxing” playlist option. Some clients want to have the windows or bedroom doors open during the day to hear the goings on in the world outside, while others prefer things as quiet as possible. Having conversations about how the “soundtrack” preferences may change as they get closer to death means loved ones know what to play – and when to play it – or what noises to keep at bay. Let the hospice providers know if they love live music or would appreciate visits from local musicians. We commonly integrate music therapy into our services, including instrumental or vocal music from volunteer musicians.

Taste needs vary from person to person

Some of our clients eat right up until the very end, but that’s more rare. Most of us experience a gradual wind down, and the appetite is reduced to the point that food no longer tastes good. Or, we may not have an appetite, so we only eat to please the people we love. Pay close attention and never force food on someone who’s walking the end-of-life path.  They may still enjoy small sips of juice or beverages, smoothies, milk shakes, or flavorful broths if regular food doesn’t appeal. They might enjoy sucking popsicles or lollipops. Let them take the lead and honor their wishes.

Do you have favorite smells or scents that you like?

The scent of smell may become even more important during death than it was in the midst of life because other smells, like sight and hearing, can fade. Be mindful of the smells in a room where someone is dying. Things like heavy fragrances and perfumes may be overwhelming, and your loved one doesn’t have a way to control those if they’re no longer responding to stimuli, so be sensitive to that. Have conversations early on about their favorite scents. If they like freshly baked cookies, make some from time to time. While you’re loved one may no longer be interested in eating, they may still enjoy smelling some of their favorite foods. If this is the case, plan some family meals and cook together to honor their life and enjoy a meal with family and friends – even if the person who’s dying doesn’t want to eat. If they love the smell of fragrant blooms, open a window to the outdoors in spring or purchase some fresh bouquets. Diffusers and essential oils are another wonderful tool at a bedside, and scents can be customized or changed according to their preferences. Most health food stores or wellness centers have a nice supply of essential oils and blends you can use. Put a drop of essential oil on a cotton ball from sample bottles (using a fresh cotton ball per scent) and bring them home for your loved one to pick some favorites.

Touch and tactile sensations

Just as the remaining senses may grow keener before a person retreats into themselves, the skin may become more sensitive. We ensure our clients have soft bedclothes and bedding, as well as socks, to stay warm and avoid itchy or aggravating sensations. Keep in mind that everything slows down a bit as life wanes, so slower movements and soothing touch become more important as fast, hard, or sporadic interactions can be overwhelming or agitating.  They may also appreciate things like massage or healing touch, an offering from a hospice volunteer services provider. People who live alone and can’t get out of the house or bedroom may appreciate visits from hospice volunteers who can hold their hands, rub their feet, or hug them. We also have access to hospice pet volunteers, which can provide great joy and comfort to clients. 

Who Do They Want To Visit Or Connect With?

We’ve mentioned that people tend to retreat toward the end of their life, but it’s not always the case. And people can surprise you. Sometimes, someone who seemed somewhat outgoing or social wants to spend time alone or with just a few loved ones at the end – or vice versa.  Talk about who your loved one wants to visit or connect with and try to make those arrangements. Digital technology has done wonders for allowing us to connect with people all over the planet without anyone needing to travel. That said, visitors’ energy and emotions can negatively impact the bedside ambiance if they – and caregivers – aren’t careful. Understanding how our personal emotional spectrum affects the dying is important to take responsibility and not hinder their experience. 

Hospice of the Golden Isles Creates Supporting Ambiance And Comfort Care For Clients

Are you or a loved one facing an end-of-life diagnosis, or do you sense life is winding down? Schedule a consultation with Hospice of the Golden Isles. We’re dedicated to keeping clients safe, comfortable, and at peace at the end of their lives, always striving to provide a supportive, beautiful, and peaceful bedside ambiance.