06/20/2025
🕯️ Preparing the Room: A Holistic Approach to End-of-Life Care
Creating a space of peace, dignity, and presence at Inverness Cottage
End-of-life is a sacred time. A well-prepared room honors not just the resident’s comfort but their spirit. It should feel safe, soothing, and sacred — a place where they are held with love and presence.
🌿 Step 1: Physical Comfort & Clinical Readiness
✔️ Ensure clean linens and soft blankets (not overly clinical)
✔️ Adjust lighting to a soft, warm glow (dim overhead lights, use lamps)
✔️ Position bed for easy breathing, sitting, or turning
✔️ Place comfort items within reach: tissues, water, lip balm, eye drops,mouth swabs,prayer beads, etc.
✔️ Keep medication, supplies, and PPE nearby — but discreet
🌼 Step 2: Sensory & Emotional Environment
✔️ Use essential oils gently (lavender, frankincense, or eucalyptus)
✔️ Play soft, calming music (resident’s favorite hymns, nature sounds, etc.)
✔️ Bring in fresh flowers or plants (low-scent, non-allergenic)
✔️ Avoid alarms or loud hallway noise — promote a hush of calm
✔️ Keep temperature cozy and adaptable (resident may chill easily)
✨ Step 3: Personal & Spiritual Touches
✔️ Add framed photos of family or special memories
✔️ Offer a spiritual symbol: cross, rosary, scripture, affirmations, or other item based on their beliefs
✔️ Invite family to bring personal items or keepsakes
✔️ Leave a blank notebook for loved ones to write thoughts, prayers, or letters
💞 Step 4: Connection and Caregiver Presence
✔️ Use gentle voice tones and slow, intentional movements
✔️ Sit with the resident, hold hands, or offer gentle touch as desired
✔️ Speak lovingly even if the resident seems unresponsive — hearing is the last sense to go
✔️ Encourage family members to be present, or simply rest nearby in a chair or recliner
🌙 Optional: Sacred Rituals
Light a candle (real or LED) at bedside
Offer hand or foot massages with lotion
Read aloud poems, scriptures, or letters
Play a recording of a loved one’s voice or a favorite prayer
Inverness Cottage Philosophy:
We believe end-of-life is not just a medical moment — it’s a meaningful transition. Preparing the room with holistic care brings peace to the resident and all who enter.
🕊️ “What we do in the final hours echoes in the hearts of families forever.” 🕊️
One my of my favorite moments during this spiritual journey; the last bath—- I take my time with each step while embracing each moment each stroke each wipe, breathing in the aromatic scents in the soaps and lotions as we prepare our loved one’s body for transition. Eternalizing them feeling the moments of peace and love and serenity. As we both make peace knowing we loved, cared and appreciated each other so deeply. 🌹🎁