Local Hospice

[dorothy-thompson]

Has anybody had any help or care from their local Hospice?

dorothy-thompson

[jillannf6]

hi dorothy

i hav enot felt th eneed to conatac tthe hospitc e as yet but i

DO knwo htey will help when needed (by someone on htis site)

LOL JILL

[SharonAB]

Dear Dorothy, - When you say hospice - Do you mean on terms of palliative care?

And would it be for outside the family home or services in the home? Why I ask is because I've found (in the past and here at least) hospice meant anything from Silver Chain & Red Cross home services to your last 24 hr breathe & bereavement support. The word hospice seemed to be readily used by all in the medical fraternity when I acted as a 'formal advocate' for my sister who become quite unwell quite quickly (Susan contracted a deadly hospital superbug) Anyway a great starting point for me was Palliative Care WA palliativecarewa.asn.au/

The people attached to this organisation were extremely caring and organised & there are a couple of easy to read booklets on their website that gave me some clarity/direction of mind.

Regards, Alana (from Western Australia)

[LyndaP]

Hi Dorothy, my local hospice in Hove offer me 4 hours of respite per week when a carer comes and sits with my husband to let me have time to myself. Also they gave us 5 days earlier in the year when my husband stayed in their respite ward, however i am not taking this up again yet as I found it too hard to have him stay there and continued to visit every day. Although I did manage to get 5 nights rest i still worried about him.

Regards Lynda

[Jay29]

Hi Dorothy, we had help from our local hospice, referral was through our Community Matron, they offered day centre and respite care, neither of which we were able to take advantage of as my partner was already bed bound and transporting him there was impossible to organise. They also counselled on end of life care and when the time came they organised a syringe driver and meds via the district nurses to make him as comfortable as possible and to avoid a difficult passing.

Take care, Jan

[Hidden]

Our local sue Ryder hospice has been absolutely marvellous my husband goes once a week for the day and the nurse practitioner visits weekly and sorts out any health issues immediately . They have been my salvation in dealing with this cruel disease

[Hidden]

Our local sue Ryder hospice has been absolutely marvellous my husband goes once a week for the day and the nurse practitioner visits weekly and sorts out any health issues immediately . They have been my salvation in dealing with this cruel disease

[daparose]

Hi Dorothy, My local hospice as been a Godsend, I was referred to pallative care by an admiral nurse because my husband had been in the forces admiral nurses are funded by the British Legion. The hospice provides me with 5 hours day care once per week and a nurse comes as sits with him for four hours l day per week it as really helped me to be able to have a little time to myself.

[NannaB]

Hi Dorothy

I didn't think my husband was ready for the hospice but then got to the point when he couldn't be left as he still thinks he can do what he always has and falls over. I need time to do things, clothes shopping, hair cut, even gardening so enquired at our local hospice who directed me to the GP. Within 2 weeks my husband was offered 5 hours a week at the day centre. It was horrible leaving him for the first time, like leaving our first son at playgroup for the first time, and I came out in tears but now we both look forward to it. He plays cards, has a massage and attends the service with communion. There are lots of other things on offer. He also gets a 3 course lunch. I've also been offered a massage (yet to take that up) and a course on relaxation through massage which we can go to together. I try to lunch out with friends on a Friday now so I don't have to cook. We also had a visit from their liaison officer who provided us with extra hand rails and bed risers. They also altered my husbands medication, after consulting with our GP. I take him but have been offered transport.

I used to think the hospice meant you are nearing the end but now know they do far more for those still trying to enjoy the life they have left.

Best wishes.

Nanna B

[PAT0]

my late husband lived with PSP attended the local hospice once a week and he looked forward to his visits, such fun and much kindness given. He made the decision that when the time came for him to be admitted to hospital her would prefer to go to the hospice. After spending 3 weeks in hospital suffering with pneumonia he was transferred to his local hospice for his final three weeks. He appeared settled and in no pain, he died very peaceful with his family around him Myself and the family will always be grateful to the staff at the hospice