wonderful extras in hospice

[debbers]

we are doing some wonderful things in our hospice that i thought i would share....and to hear back if similar things are being provided patients in other places.

we have what we call a "butterfly box" (our unit was designated the butterfly unit by kubler-ross before her death)....when a patient is actively dying we put together a box for the family to take home with them after their loved one dies. they are beautiful boxes...in them we put rocks from the fountain in their room, the journal that has been in their room that pt's family and friends and staff have written in, we collect a tear on gauze, if the family desires, we include a piece of their hair. we include the blanket that has been used by the pt, given to the pt by the unit. and we put in some artificial rose petals. on their doorway we hang a butterfly...which goes in the box after death. we keep a lighted, rock water fountain in each room, play soft music, and use aroma therapy.

we are also incorporating massage therapy for pts. i am an lmt....and find it therapeutic for myself...as well as the pt....to add this sort of comfort touch in the last days of life. i will include a link to a site that addresses hospice massage. when pts are restless and afraid...we find that this modality relaxes, calms and reassures a pt that he/she is not alone....

what are some "extras" that some of you are using?

http://www.massagemag.com/magazine/2005/issue116/hopice.php

hopice massage

[jwelhwel]

At one hospice where I worked, there was a volunteer who, after the death, would ask for an item of the patients clothing (shirt, dress, etc.) and make a teddy bear out of it. The families loved the gentle reminder of the one who died and were very appreciative.

jwelhwel