18 Apr Emotions of Hospice Care: Taking Care of the Family
When a loved one gets older, many people would like to take care of their elderly relatives themselves; however, it is sometimes necessary to place a loved one in hospice care. This decision is never easy and takes an emotional toll on everyone involved. While much of the attention is focused on the loved one who has been placed in hospice care, it is just as important to focus on the family of the loved one who is also having to go through this change.
Take Breaks
The most important piece of advice that family members of someone going through hospice care need to remember is that taking breaks is important. Sure, nobody wants to leave their loved ones alone in hospice care; however, rotating the duties among the various family members is vital. This allows family members to take breaks where they can relax, unwind, and take care of other family duties. Rotating duties also allows family to run errands, get some fresh air, and visit friends who may have been neglected during the process. Taking breaks will give the mind time to refresh and help to keep the emotions in check for the return visit.
Take Care of Yourself
It is easy to neglect one’s own health when a family member is in hospice. Some people may even think that they shouldn’t be focusing on themselves when there is a loved one in hospice care; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Family members are often asked to make decisions regarding the health of a loved on in hospice care. In order to make these important decisions, the mind and the body must be fresh. For this reason, people need to make sure they are getting plenty of rest and eat regular meals. If exercise is part of the normal routine, don’t leave this out. The entire family needs to take care of themselves to make sure they are prepared to manage what’s ahead. Rest will also keep people’s emotions from overflowing.
There is a significant amount of grief associated with having a loved one in hospice care, but it’s also a time for the family to celebrate the life of a loved one. Follow this advice to manage the emotions associated with hospice care in order to make the hospice experience easier for everyone involved.