When someone is going through hospice care, it can be a challenging time for the entire family. One way to show support and provide comfort to everyone is by giving thoughtful gifts. Here are some ideas of gifts for family of hospice patients that can bring solace and joy to families in this difficult situation.
Memory Keepsakes
When it comes to preserving and cherishing precious memories, there are many ways to help us hold onto those special moments. From photo albums and customized jewellery to handmade quilts and blankets, memory keepsakes offer us a tangible way to capture and relive our most treasured experiences and are amazing gifts for family of hospice patients.
Photo Albums and Frames
Photo albums and frames have been a popular choice for preserving memories for many years. Whether it's a wedding photo, a family portrait, or a snapshot from a memorable vacation, these keepsakes allow us to display and protect our cherished photographs in a beautiful and meaningful way. Framefox is one of the best online framing stores with a wide range of customisable framing options to perfectly capture the memories. Although photo albums were popular because of less advanced technology, it is having a resurgence for their ability to be a more sentimental and customisable digital photo album. Newlywords is one of the biggest and best photo album designers that lets people collaborate on preserving memories together.
Customized Jewelry
Customized jewellery provides a unique and personal way to capture memories and sentiments. These keepsakes can be engraved with special messages, names, or dates, making them a meaningful reminder of a loved one or a significant event. The matching jewellery between a family is a constant reminder that they will always be with each other. 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.
Handmade Quilts and Blankets
Handmade quilts and blankets offer both warmth and sentimental value. Quilts and blankets can be custom-designed to reflect personal stories or memories. Using different colours and patterns for different members of the family means that a piece of that person can always be cuddled with. The process of creating a quilt or blanket can also be a meaningful activity, involving family or friends and creating lasting bonds. The amazing knitting brand Wool and the Gang have a guide and video on how to knit a blanket have very clear instructions for making a blanket as a beginner, and you can continue to embellish the blanket with designs, names and memories.
Colour Books and Artistic Activities
Buying colour books, paint-by-numbers, sculpture classes or professional caricatures are a great gift for family of hospice patient as it can be enjoyed by everyone. Art can provide an outlet for emotions and self-expression and have a calming and soothing effect. These activities can allow you to explore your creativity, and enhance your overall well-being. ArtShed has a large range of beginner’s art products and Discount ArtNCraft Warehouse has an article about the top 14 art classes in Sydney.
Practical Support
When someone we care about is going through a difficult time, it's natural to want to offer our support in any way we can. While emotional support is incredibly important, practical support can also make a big difference in their day-to-day life. Here are some gifts for family of hospice patient that will make their life a little more easy.
Meal delivery services or gift cards to local restaurants
When someone is dealing with a challenging situation, taking care of basic needs like preparing meals can become overwhelming. Meal delivery services or gift cards to local restaurants can provide them with convenient and nourishing meals without the added stress of cooking. It allows them to focus on other priorities without having to worry about their next meal. Having meals delivered or the option to order takeout from their favourite restaurants not only provides them with sustenance but also brings a sense of normalcy and enjoyment to their lives. Uber One is a membership to Uber Eats that provides a significant discount on regular orders and is a very easy and popular option. Another option is Greenchef which delivers healthy ingredients and receipts straight to the customer's door.
Cleaning services or assistance with household chores
Keeping up with household chores can be challenging for anyone, but it can become even more difficult during times of stress or illness. Offering cleaning services or assistance with household chores can significantly alleviate some of the burdens they may be facing. By taking care of the cleaning tasks, such as vacuuming, dusting, or doing laundry, you are giving them the gift of a clean and organized living space. A clean environment has a positive impact on well-being and can provide a sense of peace and comfort during difficult times. There are many options for cleaning services however Neighbours Cleaning is one of the most renowned in Sydney and has a flexible working schedule to accommodate busy families.
Transportation services
Medical appointments are often a crucial part of the healing process, but getting to these appointments can sometimes be a challenge. Offering transportation services or providing gas cards can help ensure that they can attend their appointments without worrying about how they will get there. Being able to rely on reliable transportation reduces the stress and anxiety around getting to and from medical appointments. It also allows them to focus on their health and well-being rather than the logistics of transportation.
Emotional Support
In times of grief and loss, it is crucial to have emotional support to help you navigate through the difficult journey of healing. Books, Counseling, Letters and Legacy Content are some great gifts for family of hospice patient in their time of need.
Books on Grief and Loss
Reading books on grief and loss can provide valuable guidance and comfort. These books enable individuals to understand their emotions, learn coping strategies, and find solace in the experiences of others who have gone through similar situations. Some highly recommended books on grief and loss include:
- Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
- Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
These books not only offer practical advice but also provide a sense of connection and understanding, assuring the readers that they are not alone and that healing is possible. The Conversation Project also has created an amazing list of the top 10 best books to read to help someone understand End of Life Care.
Subscription to Grief Support Groups or Counseling Services
Joining a grief support group or seeking counselling services can provide ongoing emotional support. These support systems offer a safe space for individuals to openly express their feelings, share their stories, and connect with others who are going through similar experiences. It allows them to receive validation, comfort, and guidance from professionals and peers who understand the complexities of grief. Some popular grief support groups and counseling services include:
By subscribing to these groups or seeking counseling services, individuals can find solace, gain helpful insights, and receive compassionate guidance to aid their healing process.
Handwritten Letters or Cards
One of the most heartfelt and personal ways to show support during times of loss is through handwritten letters or cards. These thoughtful gestures can provide comfort and reassurance to those grieving. Writing a heartfelt message expressing love, support, and memories of the deceased can help families and individuals feel acknowledged, cared for, and loved. The act of receiving a handwritten letter or card allows individuals to feel a sense of connection and provides a physical reminder that they are not alone in their pain. These letters or cards can be cherished and revisited during difficult moments, offering an everlasting source of strength.
Legacy Connection Packages
One of the best gifts for family of hospice patient is Evaheld’s legacy connection packages. On this platform, 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.
We hope that this carefully curated guide for sentimental gifts for family of hospice patient 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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