Visiting hospice.

[Vi37]

Hi everyone, I’m just looking for people who have visited a hospice to visit a loved one. My mother in law has just been put in one today due to terminal cancer, her pain can’t be controlled successfully at home. I just want any insight as to what they’re like before we go so I can prepare myself ( I have post natal depression/anxiety and ocd) we’re taking our 10 month old son too so anyone who have taken their children in would be great. Thanks in advance.

Well we’ve been, my son flirted with the nurses and gave his nana a very sloppy kiss and made her day. X

ah I'm glad his nana enjoyed your visit and I hope you found the hospice calming and welcoming too

It was very calm and much more homely than a hospital, it did smell a little odd though.

An acquaintance of mine was very touched that after his wife died in a hospice. The nurse went into the garden and picked some flowers and put them in her hands. As she said she knew that she loved flowers.

As well as being a peaceful place for MiL to pass on, it has also been a huge source of support to FiL as he grieves for her. They are good places.

Glad it wasn't as you feared op, I bet your little boy absolutely made his Nana's day and then some x

Close family member has spent months on and off for pain management. We describe it as the 5 star hotel no-one wants to stay in! lovely rooms, super friendly staff - dogs and kids welcomed and fussed over. Food was gorgeous and super cheap for visitors (free for patients obvs!) I have nothing but praise and admiration for the hospice we were visiting in.

Well done OP. The unknown is scary but hospices are such lovely calm places.
The one thing you can’t protect children from is death. It happens to everyone, it is sad and hard but it can’t be avoided.
X x

Thank you so much everyone, you all made it a little easier. His Nana was definitely over the moon to see him. Xx

DP sadly passed away in our local hospice in January. It was a calm loving place with fantastic caring staff. He had been in and out for eight months for respite care and pain management. He passed in the night and staff rang his children and I and we were able to go up at 3am. People who don't know say that people just go there to die 'which really isn't the case... 😪 😪 😪

The one I do some bank work in is pretty much like a hospital ward but probably with more staff and a smoke room an nice social area. It used to be a lovely peaceful place but now has become just like a hospital ward really. there are a mixture of side rooms and bays. There is a complimentary therapist, a little shop, snack bar where relatives can get a hot drink sandwich and cake, there is a kids play room where visitors can take children and there are grounds where relatives can walk to get away form the ward for a while if they need to. Parking is free and easy which is one less hassle for visitors.