Hospice gives lifeline to devoted family
CHANCE OF A LITTLE TIME TOGETHER FOR COUPLE WHO CARE ROUND-CLOCK FOR DAUGHTERS
THE outside of the apartment block looks very much like any other.
But inside the pristine home in Chorlton lives a family whose courageous dedication to one another is remarkable.
Sisters Zabiha and Maliha Yasin both have the life-limiting neurological disorder leukodystrophy and require round-the-clock care and attention.
Unable to walk and with limited hand movement, their dedicated parents Asma and Amjid are their full-time carers.
The couple spend just a few hours a month apart from their daughters - short breaks which are made possible thanks to Francis House Children’s Hospice home care team.
Staff care for the sisters three or four times a month, which gives everyone the chance to enjoy a few hours of independence. Now the Yasin family has spoken out to explain just what the unwavering support of the Didsbury-based charity means to them.
Asma said: “There is nowhere else that they can go and Francis House gives us homecare three or four times a month which is a huge help. Those hours between 3pm and 7pm are the best ever, as that’s when Amjid and I have a break.
“Just being able to go out for a coffee or a meal and a change of scenery from being indoors. In the past, when I was ill and struggling in the evenings we had some extra shifts. Even a couple of hours makes a big difference to us.”
The family relies on Francis House for much-needed respite care as well as homecare provided by a team of experienced registered nurses, who also work on the hospice care team.
In the daytime, Maliha, 21, attends a specialist education college. Having left college two years ago Zabiha, 24, now spends the majority of her time at home.
“When the girls know the homecare team are coming they tell Amjid and I to get ready, they want us to go out and have a good time”, adds Asma.
“Because of their condition, the girls need to be given their medicines and any personal care. They are really comfortable with the Francis House team that they have known for years,
“They look forward to it and do art and crafts and love having their nails done. If they need a feed the team can do that. Zabiha takes a long time to eat and has a soft diet and is also tube fed.”
The homecare team are the first team that families meet, as they go
to the family’s home to visit following acceptance of a referral.
As well as this initial visit, they also provide support in a crisis, or during extended hospital stays.
Abi Reece, registered children’s nurse and homecare team member said: “Homecare offers that extra support and it’s great that we can come in and enable the parents to go out or do things that other parents take for granted,
“Some families may never go out for weeks between visits to Francis House. You can’t leave some of our children and young people with just anybody because of their clinical needs.
“I love working at Francis House. Being able to give the holistic care we provide at the hospice and bring it into the families’ homes.”
Francis House is seeking new members to join the care team. Relevant qualifications are required. See francishouse.org.uk for details.