Helpful Tips for Making Your Senior Hospice Care More Comfortable Overall
Many people have a family member, friend, or other close acquaintance living in a home or facility hospice care setting. It can be difficult to see these loved ones experiencing pain or other discomforting situations. Experienced hospice caregivers have some helpful tips for making your senior living in hospice care more comfortable overall.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask About Possible Comfort Aids
Seniors who are diagnosed with a terminal illness can develop certain positioning or ambulation difficulties. Many hospice patients eventually begin to lose weight, and that alone can pose challenging problems with positioning or walking.
Very thin patients are more likely to feel greater discomfort due to less padding between their fragile skin and bony prominences and the surface that the person is sitting or lying on. This makes the person at greater risk of developing serious bedsores and other pressure related issues. Don’t be afraid to ask whether your senior is feeling uncomfortable.
Switch to More Comfortable Clothing with a Looser Fit
Experienced hospice caregivers recommend that patients should wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing. Additionally, there are some terrific adaptive clothing options that make getting dressed and undressed far easier and less uncomfortable.
Other Simple Comfort Measures Recommended by Caregivers
If the person being cared for begins to have difficulty with walking or other movements, consider getting adaptive devices like a walking cane, wheelchair, or a motorized easy-lift chair. Other comfort measures include bedside tables, chair footrests, bathroom grip bars, shower chairs or benches, and ramps.
