Why Family Support Matters in Hospice Care
When a loved one is nearing the end of life’s journey, one of the most meaningful things you can do is simply be there.
You know them best. And your presence provides something no care team can replace: a lifetime of shared history, the comfort of a familiar face and the love that comes with it.
What It Means to Be There
You may not realize how much your presence means to your family member, but here’s what it can provide:
Reassurance: You remind them they’re not alone or forgotten.
Familiarity: Your face, voice and shared routines are anchors to the life they know and love.
Connection: Reminiscing, laughing, sitting quietly together… those moments give your loved one a sense of continuity when so much feels uncertain.
Closure: This one’s for both of you. The time you spend and love you share during this period will comfort your family member and stay with you long after.
How You Can Be There
There’s not just one way to show up. These are a few good places to start:
Spend time together. You don’t need an agenda or an elaborate activity. Sit together, watch a favorite movie or look through old photographs. Presence without pressure can be incredibly comforting.
Help with everyday care. The Ohioans team can guide you in providing hands-on care between visits: repositioning, personal hygiene, keeping your loved one comfortable. Those simple acts of care are profound expressions of love.
Honor their routines and wishes. Familiar routines provide comfort. Ask what they want, listen closely and advocate for those wishes with the care team.
Share memories. Talk about the life you’ve shared. Reminiscing provides your loved one with a sense of meaning and connection that gives you both something to hold onto.
Coordinate visitors thoughtfully. Not everyone can visit at once, and that’s okay. Manage who comes in and when to protect your loved one’s energy and ensure their time is spent with the people who matter most.
Taking Care of Yourself
Being present for someone you love is meaningful work. It can also be hard work. Many caregivers find themselves worn down physically, emotionally or spiritually, often without realizing how much they’re carrying.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, so keep these tips in mind:
- Share responsibilities with family members.
- Accept help when it’s offered.
- Lean on your hospice team. They’re there for you, too.
- Give yourself permission to grieve now, not just later.
- Rest without guilt.
How Ohioans Can Support Your Entire Family
Hospice care from Ohioans addresses the full picture: your loved one’s physical comfort and emotional and spiritual wellbeing, along with the needs of your family.
That includes pain and symptom management, caregiver education between visits, grief support before and after loss, plus phone assistance any hour of the day or night.
To learn more about how we can support your family, call 419-873-6600 or send us a message today.
“Vasu the physical therapist is wonderful! Conscientious, pleasant, and most importantly, good at what he does. And after 18 orthopedic surgeries, I would know if a PT is good at what he does – or not. He is.”
– Susan O.
“My husband had the same nurse for about 5 months and we could not have gotten better care. He went out of his way to help keep my husband comfortable.”
– Doris P
Ohioans Home Health & Hospice – Ann Arbor, MI
“Ohioans Home Health & Hospice of Bryan are some great people who care. It is refreshing to talk to some people who love their job and the things they do. Very professional and friendly. Thanks Kim, Sherry, Amanda and Susie”
– J Gochenour
Ohioans Home Health & Hospice – Bryan, OH
“I highly recommend your agency to family and friends. The services were excellent and both my nurse, Jen, RN, and physical therapist Jennifer, COTA, were very professional. I have to admit I was uncomfortable at first at the thought of having nursing and therapy but they made me feel at ease!”
“My home health nurse Eve is an angel! I was so nervous about having strangers in my home after a bad fall and needling another back surgery and now Eve is like family! I would definitely recommend Ohioans to friends and family!”
– Samantha J
Ohioans Home Health & Hospice – Perrysburg, OH
“Theresa took care of my uncle one day – was somewhat of an emergency. She squeezed him in, in between her other appointments and resolved our care issues quickly. She was so patient, kind, caring….I told her she was an angel.”
– Mary G
Ohioans Home Health & Hospice – Perrysburg, OH
“I had excellent care. My nurse Rochelle, RN was very attentive and friendly. Have used this agency years ago when my wife had heart surgery.”
“I would just like to give a huge shoutout to Ohioans Home Health & Hospice! They have cared for 3 of my grandparents in the present and past and I would gladly have them come care for them again in the future. From the personal touches to the warm and friendly faces my grandparents were treated with respect and kindness by all members of this team. They are consistent, timely and were always flexible when need be. I highly suggest using Ohioans Home Health & Hospice for your homecare needs.”
– Lindsey H
Ohioans Home Health & Hospice – Sandusky, OH
“Great service, caring and kind nurse. Marie, RN was knowledgeable about all aspects of my condition and helped both myself and my wife with aftercare. Would highly recommend her to any person in need of services. Thank you for all you help!”
“This agency is wonderful! The staff is kind, talented and very compassionate. This is my favorite experience in my latest healthcare journey. It was hard to be patient, as an RN, I wanted to be “fixed” right now!! I learned that the human body is even more intricate than I knew. Every department I worked with was great. Nursing (Jessica, RN, Jackie, LPN, Caitlin, RN,), therapy (Miranda, COTA), (Greg PTA) and all the Office and Eval Staff made my life better! I would choose them again without a question!”
“Outstanding home health care! My wife is a cancer and ilieostomy patient and has received Ohioans Home Health Care for three+ months. The care included both home physical and occupational therapy, as well as home nursing. I can’t say enough good things about all the services they have provided. They were very professional, compassionate as well as extremely knowledgeable in each if their capacities. We recently came to Florida for a few months, and are in the process of getting home health care here since Ohioan does not cover this area, and I can only hope it as good as what we received in Ohio. I highly recommend this company.”
– John M
Ohioans Home Health & Hospice – Perrysburg, OH
“Excellent service from our nurse. She was thoughtful, knowledgeable, punctual, and very responsive when we texted questions. Among many health care providers with whom we have interacted over the years, I would rate our nurse among the very best.”
“I love my nurse, Tonikae!! Professional, exceptionally kind, she always calls and comes on time. Manages my meds perfectly. I never worry about taking them like I did with other nurses. When she administers my shots they never hurt. “
– Ms Sherman
Ohioans Home Health & Hospice – Perrysburg, OH
