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How Do You Prepare Your Home for Hospice Care?
Date Updated: January 30, 2025
Written by:
Jackie Smart is an author and freelance content writer. For the past five years, she has written on numerous subjects, especially senior living, drawing on her own experiences of researching assisted living for an elderly relative. Jackie has since written extensively on the subject, focusing on how older adults can find help accessing services and the resources and programs in place to help them finance their long-term care.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
You prepare your home for hospice care by moving a bedroom to the ground floor, decluttering, installing a hospital bed and creating a comfortable environment. If you or an elderly relative is joining the 700,000 Americans receiving at-home hospice care, home modifications ensure the property is comfortable and as practical as possible.
Home Modifications
Although seniors require hospice care for a variety of different reasons, it often occurs due to a decline in their health and mobility. Certain home modifications can remove obstacles, making it safer and easier for your loved one to receive the care they require.
Ground Floor Bedroom
Stairs often present a barrier for seniors as their mobility worsens. To alleviate the need for your loved one to use the stairs, prepare a bedroom on the ground floor. This bedroom could be a spare room, study or den that's large enough to house a bed.
Remove Clutter
A care team requires room to maneuver and may need additional space for medical equipment, such as blood pressure gauges, a bedside commode or an oxygen tank. To reduce the risk of falls, remove any unnecessary furniture from the bedroom and clear away any exposed cables, rugs and other trip hazards.
Invest in a Hospital Bed
When preparing your home for hospice care, consider investing in or hiring a hospital bed. These adjustable beds make home care administration easier by replicating a hospital room. A hospital bed allows the occupant to adjust the height, foot and head for optimum comfort and makes it easier for them to eat, swallow and drink.
Side rails help prevent falls during the night, and easy adjustment ensures caregivers can frequently reposition someone, helping alleviate joint stiffness and prevent the development of bedsores.
Create a Soothing Environment
Seniors receiving hospice care tend to spend the majority of their time resting in their rooms. Creating a more soothing environment can help make your loved one more comfortable.
Natural Light and Fresh Air
Both natural light and fresh air benefit health and overall well-being, so try positioning the bed next to a window. Letting in fresh air improves the air quality inside the room, while exposure to natural light enhances mood and promotes better sleep patterns.