End-of-life care and the holidays are words that probably don’t seem to go together well. After all, the holidays usually mean joy and celebration, while the end of life tends to mean the final chapter for someone you love.
If a spouse, parent, or relative is dealing with a life-limiting illness this year, you may struggle to find a way to celebrate the holidays with them. However, it is important to try and make it as special as possible.
5 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Your Loved One with a Life-Limiting Illness
Depending on the person’s condition, they may not be able to travel as easily or do the usual holiday festivities your family is accustomed to. Here are some different ideas for how to celebrate the holidays:
- Embrace Favorite Traditions. Just because the holiday season looks a bit different this year, doesn’t mean you can’t still partake in your family’s favorite holiday traditions. Does your loved one like to listen to specific holiday music or watch certain holiday movies each year? Maybe your family used to spend the afternoon dressed in holiday-themed pajamas and drink hot chocolate. To the best of your ability, you should try to uphold these traditions with your loved one, and make them feel like this holiday season is just like the rest.
- Give Thanks. Keep in mind what the holiday season is all about: giving thanks. Make it a point to help spread joy and appreciation. The holidays are a great time to reflect on how your loved one has impacted your life over the years and to let them know how thankful you are to spend this holiday season with them.
- Decorate. A great way to spread the holiday spirit is by decorating your loved one’s home for them. Spread decorations around their residence or put up the Christmas tree with all its ornaments and lights. If your loved one is able, you can have them decorate with you. This will get them excited for the holidays and give you both an experience to bond over.
- Share Your Favorite Memories. The holidays are all about spending time with your loved ones, regardless of how that time is spent. A great way to make any holiday memorable is to simply reflect on some of your favorite memories. Over some hot apple cider or tea, flip through old photo albums together or spend a couple of hours swapping holiday stories.
- Bake Holiday Favorites. You can seldom go wrong with baking, especially during the holidays! Make your loved one their favorite holiday treat. It’ll bring a smile to their face and remind them of fond holiday memories from years past.
Experience Compassionate Hospice Care at Ethos
At Ethos Hospice, our services are designed to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. We want your loved one to feel comfortable and for every day to be as joyful as possible. We work to manage pain and symptoms while providing emotional and spiritual support. Ultimately, our hospice care is designed to give your loved one the support they need to live their life as comfortably as possible.
To learn more about our hospice services, please contact us today.