Hospice care mostly takes place in the patient’s home. This by itself can go a long ways toward keeping the patient comfortable. But during the end of life, you may need to take extra steps to make the home environment as safe and comfortable as possible. Here are some recommendations.

- Remove obstacles. One of the most important things you can do is make sure there are clear pathways through the patient’s home. Trips and falls can lead to dangerous complications, so removing tripping hazards can go a long way toward keeping a patient safe.
- Install accessibility aids. Grab bars and other accessibility aids can help patients with reduced mobility to safely make their way around their homes.
- Enhance lighting. Make sure that there is adequate lighting throughout the home, including nightlights. At the same time, try not to make lighting uncomfortably bright.
- Add comfortable furniture. If your loved one does not currently have a comfortable, supportive mattress or ergonomic seating, you should switch out the existing furniture with furnishings that will provide them with the comfort and support they need. It should help to reduce aches and pains and improve overall quality of life. While you are at it, do not underestimate what a difference comfortable bedding and a well-designed pillow can make.
- Block out unwanted noise. If sudden noises are causing your loved one to have a hard time sleeping, you should look for a workaround. If there is no way to prevent the sudden noises, a white noise machine may help to block them out, leading to more restful sleep.
- Make sure the temperature and humidity are comfortable. Two things that have a big impact on how we feel are the temperature and humidity levels. Ensure that your loved one’s HVAC system is functioning properly, and that the thermostat is set to their liking. This should help your loved one to feel better during the day and have an easier time sleeping at night.
- Make items easy to reach. If your loved one no longer has the same range of motion as they did in the past, they could have a hard time reaching some items. Place items where they can easily be reached or provide Gabber Reacher Tools or other assistance to help them reach more effectively.
- Personalize the space. “Home” for hospice purposes is wherever the patient lives. If you recently moved your loved one into assisted living, you could make the space feel more comfortable by helping them bring the beautiful and meaningful things they love from home to decorate their room. You can also bring activities they enjoy.
- Establish a routine. Establishing a predictable daily routine for meals, medications, personal care, visits, and rest helps create a sense of structure, comfort, and normalcy for hospice patients. This consistency can ease anxiety and support emotional well-being. Designate a specific area in the home to keep all medications and care supplies neatly organized and clearly labelled. Having everything in one accessible spot streamlines care, prevents confusion, and ensures that caregivers can respond quickly to the patient’s needs.
Get Hospice Care in Atlanta for Your Loved One
Golden Rule Hospice is based in Atlanta and provides compassionate care to hospice patients throughout the Atlanta region. To find out how we can help your loved one, please give us a call at (470) 395-6567 to schedule your consultation.