Finding a gift for someone in hospice care is an important way to show them love and support. One of the most effective ways to show this is by giving thoughtful gifts that can help with their care and comfort. Here are some gift ideas that can help you through the care planning process for someone in hospice.
Memory, Remembrance and Legacy
Life is a collection of big and small moments that shape who we are and hold a special place in our hearts. These memories are our most precious possessions, and finding ways to cherish and remember them is important. Luckily, getting a gift for someone in hospice care can help honour and preserve these cherished memories, from photo albums and customized memory boxes to personalized jewellery and engraved items. In this blog post, we will explore these different options and how they can help us celebrate and remember the moments that matter.
Customized Memory Boxes to Store Keepsakes
When giving a gift for someone in hospice, consider if they would prefer a more interactive and tactile present, customised memory boxes provide a unique way to store keepsakes. Name It: Custom Decor is a company that helps design and create customised Memory Boxes and is the perfect surprise gift to store your favourite loved ones' mementos. These boxes can be personalized with names, dates, or heartfelt messages, making them even more special. Memory boxes are perfect for storing items like travel souvenirs, concert tickets, and love letters, allowing us to dive into those memories whenever we please. By organising keepsakes in a personalized memory box, we create a tangible representation of cherished moments.
Customized Legacy content creation, safekeeping and delivery with Evaheld
An amazing gift for someone in hospice care is Evaheld’s legacy connection packages. With Evaheld, users can create and safe keep personal memoirs and life storybooks, family history journals and even personalised messages that will be safely delivered to their loved one on a date they choose in the future or after they pass. This platform has over 40 guided templates and guides to make the user’s experience of self-expression and content creation easier, enabling people to create content in any format they like, including videos, podcasts and written. If there is important information and messages that they wish to pass on to their loved ones after they’re gone, this will give them peace of mind that their connections will be everlasting and that their legacy will be preserved for their loved ones and generations to come.
Personalized Jewelry as a Lasting Memento
Another way to honour cherished memories is through personalized jewellery or engraved items. These pieces are not only beautiful but also serve as a lasting memento of a special moment or person. Whether it's a necklace with a name or initials, a bracelet with an engraved quote, or a keychain with a significant date, personalized jewellery and engraved items carry sentimental value that goes beyond their physical appearance. Each time we put on that necklace or bracelet, we are reminded of the love, laughter, and joy that the associated memory brings. Vogue’s article 6 Personalised Jewellery Brands to Shop in Australia highlights some of the nation's most popular brands that manufacture personalised jewellery for your loved one and yourself.
Emotional Support
During difficult times, we all need emotional support to help us navigate through our emotions and uplift our spirits. Whether it's a tough breakup, a loss, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges, having someone show their love and support can make a world of difference. We'll explore three amazing presents as a gift for someone in hospice care to help provide emotional support: writing a heartfelt letter or card, creating an uplifting playlist, and using a journal or notebook to express thoughts and feelings.
A Heartfelt Letter or Card
Words have a special way of conveying emotions and connecting people, if you want to take a more personal approach to your gift for someone in hospice, a heartfelt letter or card might be for you. When someone is going through a tough time, they can provide comfort, and encouragement, and remind them that they are loved and supported. Taking the time to write a meaningful message shows that you truly care and are willing to be there for them. When writing a heartfelt letter or card, share your thoughts and feelings openly, expressing your love, support, and belief in their strength. It can also be helpful to recount positive memories or experiences you've had together, reminding them of happier times. Hallmark is an amazing company with a huge range of gift cards, party supplies and everything you’d need for a special event, their article Hallmark’s Hospice Messages guides the writer on how to structure the best possible heartfelt letter to your loved one to show your appreciation for them.
A Playlist of Favorite Songs
Music has a powerful impact on our emotions and can instantly lift our spirits. Creating a playlist of their favourite songs on Spotify, Apple Music or Soundcloud can be a thoughtful and personal way to show support. Music can evoke memories, change moods, and provide a sense of comfort. When selecting songs for the playlist, consider their preferences and what resonates with them on a deeper level. These songs can serve as a reminder of their strength, resilience, and the fact that they are not alone. Music can be a form of therapy, allowing them to escape momentarily from their worries and find solace in the melodies.
A Journal for Self-Expression
When going through difficult times, it can be helpful to have a space to express thoughts and feelings openly without judgment. Providing a journal or notebook can give them an outlet for self-reflection, introspection, and personal growth. Encourage them to write down their thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams. A journal can serve as a safe space for both venting frustrations and exploring gratitude. Encourage them to jot down positive experiences, achievements, and things they are grateful for. This can shift their focus from negativity to positivity, fostering a sense of hope and resilience.
Comfort and Relaxation
When it comes to creating a cozy and tranquil space, there are a few key elements that can make all the difference. From soft blankets and pillows to aromatherapy oils, massage gift certificates, or even a good book, these are an essential gift for someone in hospice care that ensure ultimate comfort and relaxation.
Soft Bedding and Candles for Soothing Atmosphere
There's nothing quite like a soft blanket, plush pillow and aromatherapeutic candles to create a soothing atmosphere. These simple items can instantly elevate the level of comfort for your loved one and create a sense of coziness. AidaCare has a wide range of therapeutic pillows, linens and mattresses as a part of their product collection of leading Australian medical equipment. Scents also have a powerful impact on our mood and can help build a soothing atmosphere. Aromatherapy oils and candles are perfect for enhancing relaxation. Lavender, chamomile, and vanilla are just a few examples of scents that are known for their calming properties. The Aromatherapy Company has a range of candles, diffusers and body soaps that are perfectly curated to enhance a soothing atmosphere with the smell of utter comfort.
Massage or Spa Gift Certificates for Relaxation
Sometimes, the best way to achieve complete relaxation is by treating yourself to a massage or spa experience. According to an article by one of the leading medical care organisations, Palliative Care Australia, these indulgent treatments have numerous benefits for both the body and mind. From relieving muscle tension to reducing stress and anxiety, massages and spa treatments provide a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Consider purchasing a gift certificate for yourself or a loved one and schedule a day of pampering and relaxation. Yasmin Lang Innermost Harmony Massage is a massage clinic based in Byron Bay that specialisation in therapeutic massages and spa treatments for aged and palliative care patients.
Books for Reflection and Self-Expression
One of the most effective ways to care for ourselves is through the power of literature and personal reflection. Whether it's a captivating novel that transports us to another time and place or a self-help book that provides guidance and inspiration, reading can be a transformative experience. It allows us to gain new perspectives, expand our knowledge, and discover hidden truths about ourselves. Engaging with literature has been proven to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and enhance overall mental well-being and so buying books as a gift for someone in hospice care can be a great way to help them through their tough time. The Conversation Project has created an amazing list of the top 10 best books to read to help someone understand End of Life Care.
Practical Assistance
When it comes to making our lives easier and more manageable, practical assistance can be a game-changer. Whether it's keeping our homes clean and organized or finding ways to stay on top of our busy schedules, various practical products and services could be a great gift for someone in hospice.
Organizational Tools or Calendars
In today's fast-paced world, keeping track of our appointments and commitments is essential. Missing an important meeting or doctor’s appointment can have serious consequences and lead to unnecessary stress. That's where organizational tools or calendars come in handy. There are various digital and physical tools available that can help you stay organized. Whether it's a digital calendar app on your smartphone or a physical planner, finding a system that works for you is crucial. TabTimer is a fantastic company that manufactures some of the best clock technology, its product MemRabel 2 is an interactive device used in the medical field that acts as an audiovisual orientation clock, alarm and calendar that is the most straightforward organisational tool that will assist your loved one as their condition progresses.
Care Planning Programs
For people in hospice care, the near future is uncertain and decisions about their medical treatment can be a tough emotional burden on the caregivers and loved ones. An Advance Care Directive is a legal document filled out by a hospice patient to record their wishes for treatment in the near future when they are unable to communicate their wants and needs in a sound state of mind. For more information about Advance Care Planning in your country, we’ve compiled some resources:
Australia: Advance Care Planning Australia by the Australian Government
U.S.A.: The Conversation Project by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement
U.K.: Universal Principles for Advance Care Planning by NHS England
Canada: Advance Care Planning Canada by Advance Care Planning Canada
We hope that this carefully curated guide for gift ideas for someone in hospice care has been helpful and that whatever your gift, it brings purpose and joy to the receiver, and the gifts of legacy preservation and everlasting connections to the world.
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