The Home Hospice Medicine Cabinet
When your loved one enters home hospice care, your house quickly transforms into a care center where you need to handle various medical and comfort needs throughout the day and night. Having the right supplies readily available can make caregiving easier and help you respond quickly when your loved one needs comfort or assistance.
While your hospice provider supplies most medical equipment and prescription medications, many everyday items that improve comfort and make caregiving tasks easier fall outside what they provide. Building a well-stocked supply area helps you feel prepared and confident rather than stressed about running to the store during difficult moments.
Planning ahead by understanding which of your loved one’s prescriptions may interact with over-the-counter medications can save you stress during their moment of need, and also prevent you from causing them unintentional harm or discomfort.
Understanding What Hospice Provides vs. What You Need
Hospice doesn’t typically provide over-the-counter medications, personal care products, comfort items, and general household supplies used in caregiving. It does usually cover your prescription medications, durable medical goods like hospital beds and oxygen, and basic medical supplies like wound dressings or catheters.
Your hospice nurse can give you specific guidance about what supplies make sense for your loved one's particular situation. Different conditions require different supplies, so this list covers common needs across most hospice situations while recognizing that your specific needs may vary.
Pain and Comfort Management Supplies
Beyond prescription pain medications that hospice provides, several over-the-counter items can enhance comfort and address minor discomforts that don't require prescription treatment. As always, consult with your loved one’s doctor before giving them any medications or treatments.
A good fever reducer like acetaminophen helps manage minor fevers and provides additional pain relief between doses of stronger medications. Keep both regular and extra-strength versions available, and make sure you know the maximum safe daily dose to avoid accidental overdose when combining with other medications.
Heating pads and ice packs address localized pain and discomfort in different situations. Heating pads soothe muscle aches and stiffness, while ice packs reduce swelling and numb sharp pains. Look for heating pads with automatic shut-off features for safety, and wrap ice packs in thin towels to protect skin.
Lip balm and mouth moisturizers become essential as many hospice patients develop very dry mouths from medications or breathing through their mouth. Choose unscented products without strong flavors that might be unpleasant. Keep several tubes or containers in different locations so one is always within reach.
Gentle massage oil or lotion helps when giving hand, foot, or back rubs that provide comfort and connection. Choose unscented or very lightly scented products since strong smells can trigger nausea in some patients. Coconut oil works well as a natural, affordable option.
Personal Care and Hygiene Essentials
Maintaining cleanliness and dignity becomes more challenging as mobility decreases, but the right supplies make personal care easier and more comfortable for everyone involved.
Adult wipes designed for personal cleansing work better than regular baby wipes for adult hygiene needs. They're larger, stronger, and often include skin-soothing ingredients. Keep packages in multiple locations, including near the bed and bathroom, so they're always accessible when needed. This is definitely not something you want to be searching for in the middle of the night!
No-rinse body wash and shampoo allow you to help your loved one feel clean without the difficulty of traditional bathing. These products don't require water for rinsing, making bed baths much simpler. Choose products designed for sensitive skin to prevent irritation.
Disposable bed pads, also called chux or underpads, protect bedding and furniture from accidents or spills. Buy these in bulk since you'll use many. Place them under your loved one during personal care tasks and mealtimes to keep cleanup easier.
Adult diapers or protective underwear may be needed as incontinence increases. The hospice team can recommend specific types based on your loved one's needs and mobility level. Having a good supply prevents stressful situations when accidents happen.
Gentle, unscented soap and fragrance-free lotion prevent skin irritation that's common in bedridden patients. Harsh soaps or strongly scented products can cause rashes or discomfort on sensitive skin. Apply lotion after cleaning to maintain skin moisture and prevent breakdown.
Skin Protection and Wound Care
Skin breakdown is a serious concern for hospice patients who spend extended time in bed or chairs. Preventing problems is much easier than treating them once they develop.
Barrier cream or ointment protects skin from moisture-related breakdown. Apply these products to areas prone to irritation, especially after cleaning following incontinence episodes. Zinc oxide creams work well and are affordable.
Extra pillows in various sizes help with positioning to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas. Small pillows between knees, under ankles, or behind the back can prevent pressure sores while improving comfort. Keep several clean pillowcases available for frequent changes.
Soft blankets and sheets made from breathable fabrics reduce friction against skin and prevent overheating. Avoid rough or scratchy materials that can irritate sensitive skin. Having multiple sets allows you to change bedding frequently without doing laundry constantly.
Medical tape that's gentle on fragile skin helps secure bandages or medical devices without causing damage when removed. Ask your hospice nurse to recommend specific brands designed for elderly or fragile skin.
Digestive and Nausea Management
Digestive issues and nausea are common in hospice patients, and having supplies ready helps you address these problems quickly for better comfort.
Anti-nausea aids like ginger products can provide relief for mild nausea. Ginger tea, ginger candies, or ginger ale might help settle upset stomachs. Keep a variety available since individual preferences vary greatly.
Anti-gas medication helps relieve uncomfortable bloating and gas pain. These over-the-counter products are safe for most patients but check with your hospice nurse before using them regularly.
Mild laxatives or stool softeners address constipation, which is extremely common due to pain medications and reduced activity. Your hospice team will likely provide guidance about which products to use and when. Keep the recommended products well-stocked.
Small containers with lids are useful if nausea leads to vomiting. Having clean containers readily available makes these situations less stressful. Disposable options exist, but reusable containers work well if cleaned thoroughly between uses.
Straws, including bendy straws, make drinking easier for patients who have trouble sitting up or lifting cups. Some patients find that sipping through straws reduces nausea compared to drinking from regular cups.
Respiratory Comfort Items
Breathing difficulties affect many hospice patients, and simple supplies can significantly improve respiratory comfort between medical interventions.
A cool mist humidifier adds moisture to dry air that can irritate airways and make breathing more difficult. Clean the humidifier daily to prevent mold or bacteria growth. Position it where the mist reaches your loved one without making bedding damp.
Saline nasal spray helps keep nasal passages moist and clear, making breathing through the nose easier. Use it regularly rather than waiting until passages become very dry and uncomfortable.
Extra pillows for elevating the head and upper body help many patients breathe more easily. Some patients sleep better propped up at an angle rather than lying flat. Experiment with different arrangements to find what works best.
A small fan that can be positioned to blow gently toward your loved one's face often provides surprising relief when breathing feels difficult. The moving air seems to ease the sensation of breathlessness even when oxygen levels remain unchanged.
Medication Management Tools
Keeping track of multiple medications, their schedules, and any side effects requires good organization tools that prevent confusion and errors.
A clearly labeled pill organizer helps track daily medications, especially if your loved one takes several pills at different times. Weekly organizers with compartments for each day and time period work well for complex medication schedules.
A medication log or journal where you record each dose given helps prevent double-dosing or missed doses when multiple family members share caregiving duties. Include spaces for noting pain levels, symptoms, or concerns to share with the hospice team. Our Notes for My Doctor and Nurses printable workbook gives you a great place to keep your medication log. Download it for free by clicking here.
A good thermometer for checking temperatures becomes important if fever develops. Digital thermometers work quickly and accurately. Keep fresh batteries on hand so the thermometer is always ready when needed.
Small cups or containers for holding pills make it easier to prepare doses in advance. This is especially helpful during nighttime medication times when you want to minimize disruption.
General Caregiving Supplies
Beyond medical and personal care items, several general supplies make daily caregiving tasks easier and more efficient.
Disposable gloves protect both you and your loved one during personal care tasks. Buy boxes in your size and keep them accessible in multiple locations. Change gloves between different tasks to maintain cleanliness.
Hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap help you maintain good hand hygiene between caregiving tasks. Place hand sanitizer bottles in convenient locations throughout the house.
Paper towels and cleaning supplies help you address spills and accidents quickly. Having supplies ready in the room where you provide care saves trips back and forth during cleanup.
Trash bags in multiple sizes, including small bags for bedside waste and larger bags for disposing of personal care items, make waste management easier. Keep bags readily available where you need them.
A small bedside table or cart keeps frequently needed items within easy reach. This might hold water, medications, tissues, lip balm, and other supplies your loved one uses throughout the day and night.
Building a well-stocked hospice supply area takes some initial investment of time and money, but the peace of mind and practical benefits make it worthwhile. Being prepared helps you focus on what matters most: providing comfort and love to your family member during their final journey.
Don’t forget that Coastal Medical Supplies, located in Brookings, Oregon, carries over-the-counter medications and also supplies a variety of durable medical goods that can even be delivered right to your home. Click here to learn more.