Adapting Favorite Summer Activities for Home Hospice Patients

As summer unfolds, life seems to come alive once again, inviting us all to bask in its simple pleasures. Home hospice care patients especially may appreciate this time as an opportunity to cherish precious memories with loved ones and create lasting ones together. But sometimes, physical limitations associated with end-of-life care may pose challenges when engaging in traditional summer activities.

Here are a few ideas you can use to help make summer pastimes accessible for your loved one in hospice.

Gardening: Cultivating Joy and Tranquility

For many people, gardening is an integral part of summer leisure; an opportunity to see life come alive through nature. But since traditional gardening may not be feasible for all hospice patients, there are a few adaptations you can use to help your loved one experience it.

One approach is to set up a tabletop or raised garden bed, enabling patients to tend their plants from either sitting down or from a wheelchair. Selecting low-maintenance plants such as succulents and herbs can give a sense of achievement without creating overwhelming physical demands. Plus, both of those types of plants seem to thrive in our coastal climate!

Alternately, you could bring the garden indoors through vibrant potted plants. Creating green spaces bring natural beauty into the living environment, and caring for them also provides purpose and mild stimulation.

For those who find joy in connecting with nature, creating an outdoor seating area or planning regular visits to local gardens or parks may provide a therapeutic connection to nature. The gardens at Azalea Park in Brookings offer flat paths among the plants, as do many other city parks throughout Northern California and Southern Oregon.

Birdwatching: Rejoicing in Nature's Symphony

Listening to birdsong has long provided comfort and enjoyment, particularly during summer's most vibrant months when our feathered friends are more lively. Birdwatching can be tailored to accommodate various mobility levels and provide a peaceful meditative experience for hospice patients.

Setting up a comfortable viewing area near a window or quiet outdoor space is the ideal setting for those with limited mobility to appreciate and observe birds, using bird feeders, baths, and strategically-located bird baths as attractants can create an ever-evolving nature scene. Our area has many hummingbird species as well, so planting flowing plants near windows will help bring them near.

Trips to parks can create more birdwatching opportunities. Bring a few folding chairs, some binoculars, a few guidebooks, and a picnic lunch or some snacks to create a pleasant afternoon. Taking photos of the birds you observe together can create a cherished album that you can cherish for years to come.

As another option, consider including audio recordings or live streams of bird songs into the home environment so patients can experience nature's soothing melodies even when venturing outdoors is no longer possible.

Picnics and Outdoor Dining

Picnics, barbequing, or outdoor dining are some of the most enjoyed summer activities. Enjoying delicious foods al fresco under a tree or near the ocean can create lasting memories for hospice patients and their loved ones.

For those with limited mobility, making the picnic experience accessible may require creating a cozy seating area in your loved one’s backyard or patio. Portable tables, cushions, and shaded canopies provide cozy spots where one can comfortably take pleasure in an al fresco meal or enjoy refreshing summer treats.

Alternatively, bring the picnic experience indoors by setting up an indoor spread featuring checkered blankets, wicker baskets and all of your classic picnic fare in next to a sunny open window with the breeze blowing in.

Summer Joy Lies In Simple Moments

When adapting summer activities for hospice care, creativity and flexibility are keys. Each person's needs, preferences, and abilities differ; creating experiences tailored specifically for these factors ensures comfort, enjoyment, and meaningful engagement.

Engage your loved one in the planning process by encouraging them to discuss their favorite summer traditions and activities. Once you understand their cherished memories and desires, together you can come up with adaptations that respect both their preferences as well as their current reality.

Don't forget, the joy of summer lies not in grand gestures or extravagant plans but in simple moments shared with loved ones, the caress of a warm breeze, and our profound appreciation of nature's gifts to us all. Let's celebrate its beauty together while creating lasting memories to keep us going through life's journey!