Hospices

[Daisy55]

I would like to praise the hospices . My husband was referred to our local hospice about eight months ago , by his consultant , after discussing with us that there was no more medication to help . I am his carer , and the difference it has made is huge . He has Aspergillosis , Emphysema , an inoperable leaky heart valve , and disease malnutrition for which he has special food supplements .

He saw the Hospice Consultant , who arranged if he would like , chair yoga , counselling , acupuncture . He also goes to a social group for the day on Mondays where they do arts and crafts . They have helpers that look after them , they get dinner too . With the chair yoga on Tuesdays too , it has made so much difference to us both .

I get a break for a day and a half , which I look forward to .

They are about living for however long that is .

[Hidden]

Oh Daisy, how right you are. People seem to have the idea that Hospices are only about dying - they are not, they are about helping people to live the best they can with the illnesses they have and they are wonderful for pain control. We were involved with our local Hospice for about a year before my husband died and it was such a help. I hope YOU are taking advantage of the help, too. I had massages, counselling etc to help me cope. I am now about to become a volunteer there so that I can give back some of the care we had.

[sassy59]

What an inspirational post Daisy55, such positive comments on the Hospice your husband attends. It sounds just what you both need at the moment and that’s good to hear.

Good wishes to you both. Xxxx

[Hellebelle]

Hi, I totally agree. My dad whom has MSA and is very poorly, has had a prolonged stay in his local hospice and is now being looked after at home overseen by the palliative care team from the hospice.

They have not only helped dad but helped us to manage his symptoms. We have also been able to talk openly about end of life and what to expect. The doctor who visits dad regularly is so down to earth and approachable. It's so much more personal than dealing with hospitals.

It would be great if everyone had access to them but they are very few and far between.

[FredaE in reply to Hellebelle]

Hi Hellebelle

It was explained to me that the reason why Hospices are where they are goes back to the very beginning. When Dame Cecily set up the first one, othergroups wanted to follow suit and prayer meetings were held in different places by groups of people to start to create the basis for a Hospice locally. So this is where they are now - in places where these groups were able to create a hospice in their own home area Places which are a long way from a Hospice were either too thinly populated to find enough people to take on such a huge task or they simply did not have the right people at the right time. All these amazing voluntary organisations depend on the driving force from a handful of people who can get things done. The sort of people who if just working for themselves could have been wealthy but chose to work for others.

FredaE

[FredaE]

Thes posts are utterly true. Hospices deal with all sorts of life limiting diseases and i would not have managed without ours and their loving care of both Victor, with his incurable nerodegenerative diseas, Multiple Systems Atrophy and me as sole carer.

He did not spend any time in the inpatient unit as he did not need pain control or help with his eating or breathing which they can do so much better than hospitals but he had physio and a weekly visitor to read to him some of his beloved books that he could no longer see and i had courses on end of life care, aromatheray, art activities among others.. The end of life care was a workshop with other carers. It lasted for 6 sessions and included all you need to know about funerals, finance, what to expect at the end . talking to people about that, if you want to, is very liberating. They also liased with our GP and I never had to hang on the phone to get an appoointment and when you ae caring 24/7 that is a huge help.

I have no religious beliefs and was afraid it might be a bit "churchy" for me with people pressuring me for bedside prayers and so on but the Chaplin also runs art exhibtions and fundraising events like come dancing.. no pressure even visible

Since he died they gave me breavement therapy as long as I needed it. and I have spent the last five years as a devoted volunteer in one of the most beauttiful and happy places I have ever come across.

Nothing at all to be frightened of - just lovely people in a wonderful place - and all free

FredaE

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Daisy55,

Thank you, what a fantastic and encouraging post. It ties in with my Feel Good Friday post today about accessing respite care and pursuing enriching social activities. You are right that Hospices are not just about caring for the terminally ill in their last days but giving our loved ones and their families quality of life and precious memories, enriching you all.

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[Hidden]

Hi Daisy55, It's really great to hear some praise for hospices. They don't get enough of it because they only very quietly go on doing wonderful work, as you say. It sounds as if yours is working wonders for your husband and is also providing a welcome break for you too, whilst it is looking after him. I can hear your pleasure and relief! And thanks so much for doing that. We get bogged down in all the horrible difficulties we encounter in caring and it's wonderful to hear the other side of the story.

Hope you and your husband have a good weekend and best wishes to you both.