Welcome to Soulstice

Comfort care, or palliative care, aims to improve the quality of life for those nearing the end of their journey. It focuses on alleviating pain, offering emotional support, and creating a peaceful environment. If you’re caring for a loved one in their final days, the services I provide through Soulstice can offer essential support to enhance comfort and peace. It may also be helpful and necessary to include hospice services as well.

1. Pain Management

Pain is one of the toughest challenges at the end of life, so it can be important to work with healthcare providers, including hospice care staff, to manage pain through medication or non-medical methods like massage or aromatherapy. Regularly assess their pain levels and adjust as needed. Simple things like heat or cold packs can also provide relief. A reiki practitioner can also help with energy healing to reduce discomfort and promote relaxation.

2. Creating a Calm Environment

A soothing space promotes comfort. Use soft lighting, calming music, and gentle scents like lavender. Soft blankets, pillows, and gentle touch, such as holding hands, can also provide comfort. Hospice care professionals and a death doula can assist in setting up a peaceful environment and offer guidance to ensure your loved one feels supported.

3. Emotional Support

Listening, validating feelings, and offering reassurance are key. Sometimes, just being there can offer immense comfort. A death doula can provide grief and spiritual support, while hospice care offers counseling services to address the emotional needs of both the patient and their loved ones.

4. Limiting Visitors and Creating a Schedule

Limiting visitors and creating a visiting schedule can prevent your loved one from feeling overwhelmed. A clear plan helps avoid emotional strain. A death doula can help coordinate this, offering bedside vigil services and a calming presence during their final moments. Hospice staff can also guide families on how to best manage visits to ensure peace.

5. The Importance of Presence

Your presence is one of the greatest gifts. Whether through gentle conversation or simply sitting quietly, being there offers comfort, even if your loved one can no longer communicate. A reiki practitioner can further reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Hospice care also emphasizes the importance of presence and guidance on how to support your loved one.

6. Personal Care and Hygiene

Assist with hygiene tasks like bathing or brushing teeth, but always respect their dignity. If you’re unsure of the best approach, ask a hospice care nurse. A death doula can help maintain your loved one’s dignity during personal care, ensuring they feel respected and comfortable.

7. Caring for Yourself and Knowing Your Limits

Caring for someone at the end of life is emotionally and physically taxing. It’s okay to step back if you don’t feel comfortable or capable. Hospice care offers respite care to allow breaks for caregivers, while a death doula can provide support and guidance through this challenging time and assist with Life & Legacy Projects.

8. Post-Death Support

After your loved one’s passing, a death doula can assist with organizing belongings, help create meaningful rituals, and provide resources for funeral planning and legal matters. Hospice care often offers bereavement support to help family members cope with grief and connect with resources.

Final Thoughts

Comfort care is about love, respect, and providing a peaceful environment. Pain management, emotional support, and your presence help your loved one feel safe and at ease. A death doula, reiki practitioner, and hospice care team can provide additional support, offering healing, comfort, and practical guidance during this time. If you’d like to learn more about what Reiki and End of Life Death Doulas offer, take a look at www.soulsticebynikki.com

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