It’s completely natural for family members and caregivers to experience stress when they witness their loved ones in pain. However, there are proactive steps you can take to ensure your loved one’s comfort and well-being. Below are five tips to help your loved one be more comfortable at home with medications if they are in pain.

1. Give pain medication as directed by your loved one’s doctor or nurse. Consistently following the prescribed schedule is key to managing discomfort, and staying in close communication with your care team will help you stay informed about any dosage adjustments.
2. Help your loved one find a comfortable position and offer a gentle touch. Adjusting pillows, repositioning their body, or simply holding their hand can ease discomfort and provide reassurance that they are not alone.
3. Monitor pain levels: Keep a record of your loved one’s pain levels by making notes. This not only helps track their progress but also aids effective communication with health care professionals. For additional assistance in articulating pain experiences, refer to our post on “Helpful Tips for Describing Pain.”
4. Time medication with wound care. Giving pain medication about 30 minutes before wound care can help your loved one stay more comfortable during the process. Talk with your care team about the best timing for your loved one’s medications.
5. Give bowel medication as directed. Constipation is a common side effect of pain medication and can add to your loved one’s discomfort, so following the schedule your care team provides is important. For insights and tips on this subject, check out our informative video on managing constipation.

In addition to medication, there are various non-pharmacological methods to provide comfort to your loved ones receiving hospice care. Watch our next video: How to Comfort a Loved One Receiving Hospice Care to learn more.

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At MJHS, we value both personal and professional caregivers and recognize the critical work you do. That is why we have created these online caregiving resources to help you through this crucial time in your life.

If you need additional help and support caring for your loved one, please feel free to contact MJHS. We can recommend other care options available to you through one of our programs.