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What Are Appropriate Gifts for Hospice Patients?
When someone you love is in hospice care, it’s often difficult to find the words to say or a way to express how much they mean to you. In times like these, small gifts can let the patient know they are close to your heart. It may be hard to think of appropriate gifts for hospice patients, so we’ve compiled a list of some useful ideas you can consider.
From Raleigh to coastal Carteret County, 3HC has a longstanding tradition of treating our patients like family because, in so many ways, they are. With a team of dedicated healthcare professionals, we provide services to enable you or your loved one to spend your remaining time as symptom-free as possible, surrounded by familiar things and the people you love. For more information, simply contact us.
What Are Some Good Choices for Gifts for Hospice Patients?
During this challenging time, it can be challenging to find appropriate gifts for hospice patients. However, if you consider the following items, you can give a gift that will have wonderful memories and provide comfort to someone along their final journey.
What Is an Appropriate Gift for Someone in Hospice? Explore These Options
Understand the Patient’s Preferences
First, just as you would regularly give gifts to someone for their birthday or Christmas, consider their preferences and needs. Focus on what they love. If they enjoy art, perhaps a small sketchbook or a set of pencils would make a good gift. Even something inexpensive that just shows thought—such as a playlist of all their favorite songs—can be deeply meaningful.
Take a moment to think about what they would enjoy, taking into account their hobbies, preferences, and needs.
Select Gifts That Offer Sensory Comfort
These can have a deeply soothing effect on hospice patients. We have seen gifts like weighted blankets provide warmth and a sense of security. In other cases, scents from essential oil diffusers can be comforting.
One caveat: If your loved one is in an inpatient hospice, be sure to check with them about what is allowed. Remember that while scents can bring comfort, hospice patients may also be extra sensitive to smells. When in doubt, talk to members of your hospice care team—and don’t be afraid to ask the patient themselves!
Capture the Personal Touch
Personalized gifts hold immense sentimental value, whether it’s something as simple as a photo album or as unique as a custom-made piece of jewelry. Even personalized blankets, pillows, and cups can give comfort to patients, making them feel like they are surrounded by precious memories.
Take a More Practical Approach
A practical gift shows that you have given a lot of thought to the present and are trying to find something to help your loved one. Consider bed trays, comfortable slippers, no-slip socks, and easy-to-use water bottles.
The Gift of Expertise
Perhaps your loved one would like to have a Zoom call with relatives who live far away, but either does not have the equipment or is unable to coordinate the call. A great gift would be to set up a virtual meeting, whether through Zoom, FaceTime, or another platform. Your time and experience will help make this a memorable time for your loved one.
Or perhaps the hospice patient needs their closet organized or help to digitize and preserve old family photographs. In these cases, the gift of your time can make the biggest difference of all.
Spiritual Gifts
Some hospice patients take great comfort in their religion or spirituality. If you are familiar with their belief system and can align these gifts with their preferences, then these are excellent choices. Consider prayer beads, spiritual journals, books, rosaries, or a spiritual icon.
What Do Hospice Patients Want Most at the End of Life?
Most hospice patients are more interested in your presence than in the presents! As patients near the end of their journey, most value time spent with friends and family as some of the most precious moments. Often the most valuable gift may be simply sharing stories during a lengthy visit, holding their hand, or sitting with them while listening to their favorite music.
All of these actions let them know how important they are to you and the gift of time is one of the most appropriate gifts for hospice patients.
What to Gift Someone With Terminal Cancer?
In this situation, you may want to focus on gifts that provide relief and comfort. For example, skincare products, gentle lotions, comfortable clothing, and a new headscarf or hat can all be great gifts. Please check with the patient before buying items that are scented, and remember that some cancer treatments often lead to skin irritation, even long after curative measures have stopped. So while lotions and creams are excellent choices, you may need to speak with the healthcare team to determine which type of creams are best for the situation.
What’s in a Hospice Comfort Kit?
These kits contain items geared toward providing soothing comfort to cancer patients in hospice. Some examples include:
At 3HC, Our Compassion Makes a Difference Because You Are Family
We know that every moment matters, especially at this end-of-life juncture. For decades, we’ve provided comprehensive hospice services to help those facing life-limiting illnesses. Not only do we care for the patient, but we also offer comfort and support for their entire family.
For more information, contact us.
