Kody C.’s Post

🎄✨ Hospice and the Holidays – Tips for Maintaining Normalcy The holiday season can be a time of mixed emotions for families with loved ones in hospice care. At Amedicus Hospice, we understand the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy during this time. Here’s how we help: • Focus on Comfort 💖: We encourage families to keep things simple and comfortable, avoiding the stress of overwhelming schedules and activities. • Embrace Traditions 🎁: Celebrating small traditions—such as gift-giving or sharing favorite foods—can help bring comfort and keep the holiday spirit alive. • Create Meaningful Moments 🕊️: Quality time with your loved one, whether it’s chatting, reminiscing, or simply being together, is the best way to make lasting memories. At Amedicus Hospice, we strive to help families make the most of the holiday season, creating peaceful moments while ensuring comfort and dignity. Learn more about how we can support you during the holidays at www.amedicushospice.org or contact us at (469) 389-1028. #HospiceCare #HolidayCare #AmedicusHospice #ComfortAndDignity #QualityTime

Over the years, our team at Honor Hospice has had the privilege of speaking with many individuals in hospice as well as their families and friends. One common theme that has always stood out is the incredible impact of leaving behind something special for loved ones—whether it's a letter, a note, or a small gift. These acts of love become treasured memories, offering comfort and a sense of closeness even after passing. Many of those receiving hospice care have shared how meaningful it is to plan ahead, especially around things that hold personal significance—like a favorite holiday, milestone birthday, or cherished tradition. For example, one person took joy in writing Christmas cards for her grandchildren, planning them for the Christmas after she was gone. Knowing how much she loved this tradition, the kids found comfort in those cards during their first Christmas without her, feeling as if she was still part of the celebration. These moments are powerful. They help families and friends continue to create happy memories, to celebrate the bond that remains, and to feel the ongoing presence of their loved one in their lives. Others have written letters labeled, “Open me when you have a bad day,” or notes for a spouse that say, “Open me when you miss me sleeping beside you.” Some prepare messages for specific life events—a note for a first day of school, a graduation, or an important birthday. I encourage anyone in hospice to consider these small acts of love. It's a way to leave behind not just a memory, but a piece of your heart, to be felt and cherished during life’s special moments. # HonorHospice #Hospice #BecauseWeCare #ExpertCareExceptionalCompassion #HospiceCare #LastingMemories #LoveBeyond #CherishedMoments #FamilyForever

Engaging in conversations about hospice and end-of-life care can be uncomfortable for some, but for others, it comes naturally. Speaking from personal experience as a family member who once needed hospice care for a loved one, I’ve learned that it makes a significant difference when having these conversations. Here are some insights I’ve gained: When engaging with families or patients, I actively listen. People want to be heard during this crucial time in their lives. They often share their life experiences, reminiscing about their travels, hobbies, and passions. Whether it's a master gardener talking about their love for gardening or someone wishing to see the ocean one last time with their lifelong partner, listening to these stories is vital. They want to be treated with respect and dignity. In the last days of their lives, they want to live as comfortably as possible, free from pain and worry. Providing reassurance to patients and their families that death is a natural part of life and it's okay to let go and be free is crucial. If your heart is in the right place and you love what you do, work will never feel like work but a reward. Caring for those who need guidance through this crucial time is what I strive to do. #caring #compassion #hospice

Sometimes the holidays aren’t such a happy time. For those of us carrying grief, navigating difficult family dynamics, facing health problems, or any number of “fill-in-your-personal-blank” life challenges, the whole season can bring up a lot of complicated [and maybe even conflicting] emotions. That makes sense, and you are far from alone in grappling with that complexity. Nevertheless, feeling this way internally while everything out in the world around you is all *merry and bright* can be an incredibly isolating experience for many of us. What would I say? How do I even bring this up? I don’t want to be a downer. These concerns are understandable in today’s world; I’ve had them, too. And they’ve historically led me to isolation. But the most effective balm for a stressed nervous system is connection with another safe human who “gets it.” Why is it that we often isolate ourselves during the very times we’d benefit most from connection, denying ourselves that opportunity? The truth is: opportunities for connection are out there if we’re willing to look for them. Yes, doing so requires you to take action and, probably hardest of all, risk a bit of vulnerability. But every time I’ve taken those risks, I have walked away feeling less alone, more understood, and surprisingly hopeful. Spaces, places, and communities to get support and connection around the things that matter uniquely most to you are out there. All you have to do is look for them. Here’s one from Divergently to get you started! #mentalhealth #community #neurodivergent #wellbeing #wellness

"Spending a final Christmas with a loved one who is nearing the end of life can be deeply emotional. Sharing helpful tips for people to make the experience meaningful and supportive for everyone involved are a few ways to bring the holidays closer and last memories made." A helpful article from Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gd9dD7tv #WMTY #WhatMattersToYou #PalliativeCareIsForYou #PalliativeCare #Palliative

Christmas can bring joy, but it can also be a time of reflection and challenge for those living with life-limiting illness, their carers, and those grieving. Here are some tips to help navigate the season with compassion and care: 🎄 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: It's okay to feel a mix of emotions. Give yourself permission to experience them without guilt. 🎄 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗼𝘆: Whether it's lighting a candle, watching a favourite holiday moving, or sharing a meal, find small ways to bring comfort and joy. 🎄 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘆: You don't have to follow every tradition. Adapt them to suit your current situation, whether that's making new ones or honouring the old memories. 🎄 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: For carers, remember to rest and recharge. It's not selfish; it's essential for your well-being. 🎄 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗢𝗸𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝗼: If something feels overwhelming or unnecessary, give yourself permission to decline. Saying no can create space for what truly matters to you. 🎄 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: If you're struggling, reaching out for professional support or talking with someone you trust can help lighten the load. At Anam Cara, we are here to provide compassionate care, support families through the tough moments and helping them navigate the holidays with dignity and peace. Wishing you comfort and connection this Christmas.

Creating Meaningful Moments in Hospice During the Holidays The holidays can be bittersweet for hospice patients and their families. While the season reminds us of joy, togetherness, and tradition, it can also heighten feelings of loss, grief, and the weight of limited time. For healthcare leaders, this is an opportunity to lead with compassion and creativity—to inspire our teams to provide care that reaches the heart. How can we create meaningful moments that honor the emotional needs of patients and their families? Here are a few ideas to inspire reflection: 🎄 Small Traditions, Big Impact: Encourage staff to ask about holiday memories and recreate them—perhaps a favorite song softly played in a room, a comforting scent from a cherished recipe, or a small tree decorated with care. Sometimes the smallest details bring the most comfort. 🖌️ Legacy and Connection: Facilitate creative ways for patients to share their stories or leave something behind—handwritten notes, recorded memories, or simple holiday cards for loved ones. A legacy project can transform fleeting moments into lasting gifts. 📱 Bridging Distance: Not every family can be by their loved one's side. Let’s utilize technology to bring people together through virtual visits, voice messages, or video calls, ensuring no one feels forgotten during the season. 🌟 Personalized Experiences: What makes this patient feel most alive? For one, it might be hearing carolers at their bedside. For another, the scent of pine or the taste of peppermint cocoa might provide a simple, yet profound, sense of peace. As healthcare leaders, our role is to set the tone. How are we empowering our teams to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients this season? How do we show that hospice care is not just about endings, but about creating moments that matter? I invite you to reflect: 👉 What practices have made a difference in your patients' holiday experiences? 👉 How can we, as leaders, foster creativity and compassion in our care teams? Let’s lead with intention this season—bringing light, connection, and dignity into the lives of those we serve. #HospiceCare #LeadershipInHealthcare #CompassionateCare #HolidayReflections #EndOfLifeCare #PatientCenteredLeadership

I really appreciate everyone's support over the past few weeks since launching my new death doula business. One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is - what's the difference between a death doula and hospice care? Check out my recent (and first!) blog post where I talk about the difference, and how we can work together. https://lnkd.in/ePi4ATkZ

THE OTHER SIDE OF MERRY CHRISTMAS My heart gets especially heavy during the Holiday seasons. So many children go without for so many heartfelt reasons. Some children will awake with no presents under a Christmas tree. There will be no laughter, no “can we open presents” plea. There will be no tree decorated with colorful lights. Nor a home where they could spend warm nights. Will they spend the day without family, maybe without a Mom or Dad ? Or will they have Grandparents to help make their day glad. Santa only brought him one present; some have them stacked a mile long. Did they make Santa mad at them, or did they do something wrong? It’s hard to explain this to a child on Christmas morning. Maybe we should take this as a subtle holiday warning. Should we say that Santa only brings certain presents to a child? The other gifts are from Mom and Dad, which they compiled. That won’t help those who spend a day cold, hungry or alone. This is the part of Christmas my heart does not condone. I pray children find a Christmas miracle and know it’s not a myth. They deserve a caring family or even friends to celebrate with. This is the season for miracles and when hearts seem to give. A season for love, hope and a time for us to forgive. A season of memories that should be pleasant and make us smile. A season that we all can cherish, even if just for a while. Jcogdill

"Why do bad things always happen at Christmas?" The simple answer is that most of the time, they they don't. It's just that Christmas, and other festive occasions such as birthdays, New Year, etc., act as a marker on which to place the tragedy. When bad things happen, we they do we look as to why and for a cause we wish we had seen coming. "If only," we tell ourselves. Instead of looking for reasons, answers or blame - spend time reflecting on the good memories, or maybe the bad times if that is helpful for your situation. Bad things happen. Acknowledge it, find out as much as you can about it, help yourself to come to terms with it, and then help others in whatever way you can. By all means cry, shout, get angry, and express out loud how you feel. That is a good thing to do as suppressing emotions is detrimental to your well-being. Take as long as you need, don't rush it, and you will know when it is time to move on. When it 'feels' right, start moving forward. If you have trouble accepting the tragedy or moving forward, ask for help. There is no shame in seeking assistance, it is a sign of strength to do so. Bad things happen, that is a part of life. Good things also happen which is also a part of life, a bigger part may I suggest. We just don't see the good things when we are sad and down. Forget the bad things in the past, look to the good things in the future, but always be in the moment. I wish you and your family the very best for the holiday season, Merry Christmas.