Things you could bring a Hospice Client to help them

I've been enjoying a blog by Judi Chamberlain and I've learned a ton about how to help a person in Hospice.  Here's a list of things you could take a person:

-Variety of Pillows to help them sit up in bed better.

-A comfortable chair that doesn't require the client to hold themselves up by themselves so much.
 One that is supportive to the neck and back and legs and is comfortable and can be moved around.

-Manicures & Pedicures.  The client gains self-esteem from being taken care of the same as when they
 could do it themselves.

-Massages.  The client looks forward to relaxation and being touched, soothed, and cared for.

-Bath Chair.  The client doesn't always feel up to showering but a bath chair is necessary.

-Someone to comb the client's hair.  It's taxing to for the client to do and feels good when someone else
 does it! 

-Rides.  If the client can go out, they need rides to massage visits, to go places they've been invited to,
 and to just get the client "out" for scenery is great!

-Food.  Already prepared casseroles, or snack cups such as Jello, Pudding, Applesauce, yogurt, and 
 fruit. If the client has a cooler on their front porch, it can be used to drop food off without disturbing  
 the client, especially in the evenings.

-Games to distract the client from being sick such as word puzzles.

-Clothes since the client is generally gaining or loosing weight.

-Clients have cravings when they are dying.  A Visitor can call ahead and ask, "What are you craving today?".  Then bring it with you.

-Some clients like flowers as it gives them a feel for "outside" when maybe they can't go outside any
 more.

-A food tray for the bed since clients are too weak to walk to the kitchen to eat.

-Laptop table or swivel-tray-table, even if the client doesn't use a lap top it's great for eating on, setting 
 books and magazines on and guests can use it too.

The visit should be centered around the client / loved one.  Their comfort level, including temperature in the home, whether they are thirsty, if they want to sit up or lay down, and they should know it's fine if they nod off.  They are usually taking morphine.  Some visits may have to end and resume another day.  I remember when my Uncle Siby was still at home before going in to Hospice, he would say he couldn't understand why no one had been calling him or visiting.  Judi Chamberlain said in her blog that visitors "energized" her.  I myself have to get over my reservations that "I'm bothering the dying person with my visit" and rather call ahead and just do it! 

Some clients need encouragement if they want to make their own "arrangements".  They should feel 100% confident that their every wish will be carried out.

I think we should try to never arrive empty-handed.  Call ahead, see what's needed specifically.  And help by bringing it.  If nothing else, always bring food.  It improves the whole situation for the caregiver as well as the client. 

Single Parents in Crisis

For whatever reason there are single parents and custodial parents these days.  What support would truly help them when they are having a hard time?  I was a custodial parent and I remember having to take time off work when I was sick and as well when my child was sick.  At least with a two-parent household you can take turns missing work... but aside from lost wages, I bet these folks could benefit from someone checking on them and bringing them a cup of soup, some medicines, offering to run to the store for them, babysitting while a sick parent gets a nap, or shoveling their sidewalk if they can't.  Perhaps if you're retired you can babysit the sick child so the parent doesn't have to loose wages. 

This is a temporary crisis but a little help goes a long way.  If you're in this situation, what would be most helpful?  What other types of support does a single parent need?  Maybe, they need to be introduced to other single parents so they can arrange play-dates or have social time themselves without having to get a babysitter?  I remember it can be lonely without the right network of friends and support. 

Also, I know a single parent right now who really needs a tutor for her daughter in math and science.  She's 16 and struggling in school but her confidence level rises when she gets a good grade. 

If you know a single parent, try to help them with the details of their child's birthday party.  If you have time you could be a "helper".  It might make a stressful day be more enjoyable for the parent!  Blog back!

Hospice & Other Help for the Dying

I've had a passion for easing the suffering of a human who only has days to live.  Without training I have no idea what would ease their suffering.  Or, with all the morphine, are they suffering?  I've seen Hospice in action a couple of times and I hold those workers in very high regard.  Do you have any experience with Hospice or other ways to make a dying person more comfortable?

Post-Traumatic-Stress in Soldiers

Our soldiers are coming home now.  I'm happy for their families.  Do you know of any support teams they can rely on now and in the future to survive PSD?

I personally don't know a single soldier!  It's hard to believe that I don't know anyone personally who was in the recent war!  But my heart goes out to them during their struggles.  How can I help?

Unplanned Pregnancy

What are some ways humans can help each other deal with an unplanned pregnancy? 

Poverty Crisis

Do you think our government has a clue about what poverty is?  All around me I see people suffering because they have little income for whatever reason.  I'm passionate about helping others who are suffering in this way.  When I can I give straight-up cash to people if they need it.  I don't expect it to be repaid.  But if it eases their suffering and is not a detrimental sacrifice to my family, I will do it.  Humans need help, period!  It starts with each of us.  The government helps but when I look at programs like CICP, you have to be barely surviving to get assistance with medical bills.  Just as an example.  I'm just sayin if someone you know is hurting, how do you feel about helping them out?

Passion Organization

My name is Passion.  The purpose of my blog is to encourage humans to survive crisis.  It can be any type of crisis, such as Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, Circumstantial, Trauma, etc.

My motto:  Encouragement is Productive.  Discouragement is Counter-Productive.

You can blog about your crisis or your experience with crisis and comments are encouraged (haha).

My inspiration for this blog is our need as humans for general support of one another. 

My hope for you and I is that any suffering we might be enduring would be eased through the organization of various support teams.  Humanity Support Teams.

My intent is to have an encouraging blog rather than one that is judgemental, critical, or hopeless.  So with that in mind, let's discuss crisis but also offer general support and solutions.

Happy Blogging!