In the palliative care books, Integrating a Palliative Approach : Essentials for Personal Support Workers, and Essentials in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Practical Resource for Every Nurse, I use the image of a comfort basket to refer to non-pharmacological (non-medicinal) items that can help promote comfort and provide support when caring for a person who is unwell, and when supporting family members and other caregivers. The motto for the comfort basket is to
Respect the individual and individualize the care
The COVID-19 global crisis is stressful for professional and family caregivers. Fears of infection, lack of personal protective equipment, concerns about food shortages (and toilet paper shortages) combined with stress related to social distancing and quarantining are causing many to feel anxious.
One way to help manage stress and anxiety is through self-care.
A comfort basket can be filled with items for self-care. When a person engages in activities that bring them peace, calm, and a sense of being cared-for and of not being alone, their stress and anxiety diminishes.
I would like to dedicate this post to the family and friends whose loved ones are ill with COVID-19 and those whose loved ones are in care and they may not be able to provide care or see them.
Consider providing certificates and coupons for:
The key is to provide items or services that give comfort to the person
Consider creating a comfort basket for the caregivers and family that could ease their anxiety and bring them comfort. Items to consider are:
What items would you like to receive, or what items have you given that were appreciated?
We’d love to hear your ideas! Leave a comment below
For more information, join the conversation in the Life and Death Matters Community
Read more about self-care for caregivers here
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