The beginning of February brings about the unmistakable flurry of preparation for Valentine’s Day in many areas of our lives – whether that’s at home, work, or school. If you have a loved one in hospice or palliative care this month, buying them a Valentine card or gift might be a great idea; but there are lots of other meaningful ways to show a hospice patient how much they mean to you. Here are five acts of service and love that can truly show someone you care this Valentine’s Day.

1. Brighten Up Their Room With Valentine’s Day Decor

Sprucing up a room with Valentine’s Day decorations can be a great and unique gift to help cheer someone up. Many hospice patients don’t get much change of scenery on an everyday basis, and holiday-themed decorations (even outside of Valentine’s Day) are an easy way to break up the monotony they may experience being in their room.

Be aware of any sensitivity to the color red before putting up your Valentine’s Day decorations. You may need to use alternate colors like lavender or pink, but your loved one will still know how much you care and will hopefully find a welcome sense of comfort and cheer in their daily routine.

2. Maintain Existing Holiday Traditions

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or any other holiday, it’s important to keep up traditions – particularly when providing end-of-life comfort care. One of the worst feelings for a hospice patient is the feeling that their condition is upsetting the lives of their loved ones. So, whatever you usually do on a special days like Valentine’s Day, find a way to include them in the tradition, and keep it going.

3. Extra Quality Time

Because Valentine’s Day is about showing loved ones you care, it may be a particularly difficult day for a patient who isn’t able to meet for a Valentine’s Day date or go out to buy their family a card or present. Make extra time this month to be with your loved one in hospice care, especially on the holiday itself. Find ways to make your visits longer. Bring photos, play board games, or ask them to tell you stories from their life. You will likely find that you have benefited from creating these happy memories as much as they will.

4. Plan a Special Outing

Many hospice patients are still able to do and experience a lot even though they are in a hospice care program. If this is the care with your loved one, find something they enjoy and plan a Valentine’s Day date experience it with them. Take them to a favorite place or visit someone they haven’t seen in a while. Consider accompanying them to deliver gifts to their other hospice caregivers. If they aren’t able to get out, bring the “outing” to them – watch a movie, have a special Valentine’s dinner or meal, or invite a friend to visit.

5. Personal Care

Because personal care may be difficult for a hospice patient, try helping with simple care tasks as a unique Valentine’s Day idea and act of service. Doing hair, nails, or makeup, for example, may be a huge emotional lift for patients. For patients at home, try refreshing bedding, cleaning windows, or helping declutter their bedside area. Sometimes helping out with even the littlest of things can be a great way to show lots of love.

If your loved one is in need of hospice or palliative care, quality comfort and pain-free days in their final seasons might be the best gift you could give them. At Crown Hospice in Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff, Missouri, we are here to help in all aspects of end-of-life care for terminally-ill patients. 

Please do not hesitate to call (866) 703-4801 (toll-free) or (573) 335-4800 (office) today for more information. Our professional, caring staff will answer all your questions and work with you to give your loved one the best care available.