For someone who spends months in hospice, there will be more opportunities to write and visit, so consider reaching out multiple times. Helpful tip: Hospice care tends to last from several days to six months. “I’m praying for you to feel at peace and to know how much you’re loved.”.“I’m sad, of course, but I’m also glad you’re in a place where you don’t have to fight so hard anymore.”.“I don’t like this, but we’re going to do our best with this time.”.Just want you to know I support you and I’m glad you’re making the most of this time with the people you love.” “I know this wasn’t an easy decision to make.“You can keep praying for a miracle, but the person who’s dying needs you to affirm that it’s okay to stop fighting and to focus on peace and comfort instead.” “They’re tired of pain, tired of suffering, tired of fighting,” says Tracy. Inspired? Create and share by tagging AcceptanceĪccording to hospice nurse Tracy Riley, by the time a person has entered hospice care, they’ve accepted the fact that they’re dying, and it’s helpful for them to know that family and friends have accepted this, too. Whether you’re writing a note, spending time with them, or both, I hope you’ll find ideas for messages that offer comfort, bring a smile and, most of all, let someone know how much their life has meant to you. I’ve organized these writing tips and approaches by theme, but you certainly don’t have to stick to just one theme in what you write or say to someone who is dying. Marn also continues to stay connected to hospice through participants in her 2018 Wishes for the World project. The second is Marn Jensen, a retired Hallmark writer and editor who has seen both of her parents through hospice care in recent years.
If that sounds like two careers, well, it is-but Tracy is passionate about both Hallmark’s mission of helping people connect emotionally and hospice’s call to care for individuals and families facing the end of life. The first is Tracy Riley, who is both a Hallmark administrative pro and an experienced hospice nurse. Luckily, I work with thoughtful people who have direct experience as caregivers and family members of someone in hospice, and they were gracious enough to share what they’ve learned.
Most of us feel stifled and awkward when we think about what to say to someone in hospice care who has days or months to live.Ĭonfession time: I’m a longtime Hallmark writer, and I still felt stumped when asked about writing this kind of message. Unfortunately, our culture isn’t particularly comfortable with death and dying. The end of a person’s life is an important time for friends and family members to reach out with words of caring, support, and gratitude.