Special thanks to Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, Marlton, NJ, for assuasive Hospice of the Cherry River Valley to share the post-obit article.

picture of wrapped giftWhen someone love is terminally ill, y'all want to give them dearest and support. But you may also wish to give them something to show you intendance and heighten their comfort. And when it's their birthday a holiday or other special occasion, yous may struggle with gift ideas.

So, what are the best gifts for terminally ill people?

Remember nearly what would be helpful or meaningful to your loved one. Would they enjoy reflecting on their life with a photo anthology? Would a religious or spiritual detail bring them comfort? Might a nice lotion be soothing?

We've seen many types of gifts for hospice patients, whose lifespan is ordinarily six months or less. Below are some of the best ideas we've seen and heard about over the years.

Comforting Gifts for Hospice Patients

  • Hot h2o bottle with a nice cover. These bottles can reduce pain and relax the person for improve sleep. To make the bottle look homier and less clinical, consider adding an attractive cover. You tin can order it online, or make information technology if you're crafty.
  • Soothing candle. Candlelight tin can brand the person'south room feel cozier and more than inviting. And certain fragrances can exist relaxing, providing some respite from symptoms or worries. Ask your loved i (or their shut family/friends) what scents would soothe them or bring back happy memories. A word of caution, though: chemotherapy can cause an aversion to scented candles, and some people are allergic, so exist sure to ask in advance. Note: If your loved one is using oxygen, candles (open flames) are not permitted.
  • Comfortable blanket. Hospice patients rest a lot, and may experience chills, aches, or pain. Consider giving a warm, soft blanket — such as a fleece throw or a crocheted afghan. Make sure it's machine-washable and machine-dryable for easy care. For an added personal touch, yous can have special photos printed on a coating. Google "photo blanket" to detect sources.
  • Gentle massage. A licensed massage therapist can provide the gift of nurturing, soothing bear upon. They can likewise teach family members how to provide this comforting contact—from soft stroking of the hands or face, to gentle human foot massage. The use of aromatic oils tin further enhance the massage's benefits. Await for a massage therapist trained in geriatrics and end-of-life care. Note : If your loved one is using oxygen, petroleum-based ointments or lotions or confront creams are non permitted. Please exist cautious of skin sensitivities.

Sentimental Gifts for Hospice Patients

  • Digital photo frame. Well-nigh the end of life, many people like reflecting on happy times and those they've loved. They think a lot nigh their past and whether they lived a proficient life. You tin aid your loved one recall positive memories past giving a digital photo frame that you lot've loaded with special photos. These frames tin hold thousands of photos, and can be fix to turn on and off at designated times each day. This gift will besides provide a homey touch for needing a brusque stay at an inpatient hospice middle or living in a long-term care community.
  • Photograph album or scrapbook. Like the digital photo frame described above, an album/scrapbook tin also bring comfort and joy to your loved i. Cull a modest-size anthology (such every bit 4-by-half dozen-inch) that will be easier for your loved one to hold and handle. Go on the pages simple, without a lot of decorating, so the person can better see and blot the images.
  • Message bowl. Fill a cute bowl or other container with special messages written on slips of paper. The notes can exist just from you, or you can enquire others to contribute their own messages. For example, a daughter might write: "Thank you lot for didactics me to ride a bike when I was seven." or "I've always loved your honesty."—anything that is true and heartfelt. The person or caregiver can read a note or ii whenever comfort is needed.
  • Music. Arrange for your loved ane to hear their favorite songs and bring back happy memories. Place the technology that would work best for the person and their living environment—whether a CD player, MP3 player, tablet (such as an iPod or Kindle) or a traditional turntable and vinyl records. In many cases, yous can borrow CDs from your public library. If the person can utilise the Internet, yous can set upwards playlists on websites like Pandora and Spotify. Those sites will also create playlists to match the person'southward musical taste.
  • Dwelling house movies. If your loved ane has a stash of former home movies, become 1 or more converted to DVDs. (If the person doesn't accept a DVD histrion, give or lend them i.) You lot can relish the bear witness together, and they'll be able to watch with others or when they're alone. This is another great way to share happy memories and enjoy quality time together.

Requite the Souvenir of Timely Conversations

Ask your loved one nigh their end-of-life wishes. We talk near the weather condition. We talk almost sports. Simply too few of usa talk virtually what matters most. Start the conversation with V Wishes, a legal (in nigh states) living will that discusses physical, spiritual and emotional wishes. Learn more.

Personal Message Gifts for Hospice Patients

  • Life on Record. This service enables friends and relatives to share skillful wishes and special memories with their loved one. The visitor provides a price-free phone number that people can call and go out voice messages. Yous tin can play the messages back for your loved one and/or record the letters on a CD or your figurer. Hearing these messages can help lift the person's spirits and help them feel loved and supported. For more than information, visit Life on Record.
  • Written accounts. Shut relatives, such as adult children, may want to write a letter or create an informal anthology containing favorite memories, meaningful things their loved ane has said or done, life lessons and the like. Keep the design simple—it's the content that counts.
  • Digital voice recorder. Your loved one may also desire to share their own thoughts. They may wish to record their memories or reflections about their life, or to send messages to those they beloved. A digital recorder can enable them to capture their thoughts whenever they want to. You tin likewise offer to transcribe their recordings, or help suit for someone else to do that.

Contemplative Gifts for Hospice Patients

  • Contemplative effigy. Meditation and spiritual worship can help people cope with their feelings nearly death. Therefore, a contemplative picture or object tin exist a thoughtful gift. If the person is religious, consider giving a figure or symbol from their faith. Otherwise, you may want to give something more full general, like a willow tree figure or a person releasing a dove. These images may help soothe the person's thoughts about death.
  • Books on death and dying. Your loved one may exist comforted by reading most others' experiences and advice, including memoirs.

Gifts of Time for Hospice Patients

  • Companionship. Simply spending time with your loved one is often the best matter y'all tin can requite. You tin can simply sit and talk, mind to music, read to them, take a drive, or walk together if they're able. Offer a sympathetic ear and listen to what they have to say.
  • Meaningful conversation. If the person is able, talk to them nigh their life and what'south important to them. Encourage them to share stories virtually their past. For help in getting the conversation started, visit StoryCorp'south "Smashing Questions." You can fifty-fifty incorporate these conversations into one of the "personal message" gifts described above.
  • Appreciation. Tell your loved one how they have contributed to your life. Share your positive memories of them and times you spent together. Allow them know what you lot love and admire about them.

Birthday Gifts for Hospice Patients

  • Floral 'cake'. If your loved ane is unable to savor a traditional birthday cake, consider giving a blossom arrangement made to look like a beautiful cake – complete with candles to accident out. To find florists, simply Google "altogether flower block".
  • Talking cards. These greeting cards allow you lot to tape a bulletin with your own voice, which the recipient tin can play back whenever they want.
  • Card campaign. With a few like shooting fish in a barrel steps, ensure your loved 1 receives dozens of birthday cards, which they tin enjoy throughout the year. A few weeks before their birthday, write to everyone they know: family unit, friends, neighbors, swain congregation members, old co-workers, doctors and the similar. Ask them to send a card during the person's altogether month. You tin can even set a goal of getting a card for every year of the person's life—such every bit "88 cards for 88 years." To ensure the person will receive plenty cards, ask your ain friends to send cards, too. You tin can record your loved 1 as they open each card, to capture their happiness and precious memories they may share.

Whatever you choose to give—whether a listening ear or an engaging item—gifts for terminally ill people should focus on bringing love, condolement and understanding into the celebration of their life.

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