WHAT’S NEXT IN THE JOURNEY
“I really appreciate the privilege. I don’t see it as an end, I see it as an important part of living your life. It’s just how we reach that end that makes a difference.
“I believe it’s how the team see it, they have a purposebuilt unit, they appreciate the opportunity they have to make a difference.
“Life is so difficult, it can change in a moment and the presence and gift of time is something that we need to cherish, because it can make a difference to moving through our life and continuing our life for those left behind.”
MAUREEN Tapfield has big dreams for the unit but needs help to give those in their care the final days they deserve.
“The next part of our vision is to be able to put together a sensory suite and a wellness centre. We’ve already had the support of the Hospital Foundation for part funding of the sensory suite.
“We had a young man, not so long back, who wanted to go down the Great Ocean Road before he died. We got him to a certain point but he deteriorated and we weren’t able to facilitate that dream for him.
“What we want to do is turn this vision and dream for patients moving into that space.
“We want a sensory screen, where we would have three options – one is a waterfall, the ocean or a field. The patient and the family are able to choose that and the fragrances that are associated with that. It plays into the room and wellness centre. The family can sit in there and take them on their journey, they can actually feel they are there. That’s a gift.”
Hosting weddings has become part of what the unit does, but with a sensory unit the wedding could be even more special.
“We had a bride who wanted to feel as though she could walk through a field. She was only very young, she was 33, she had two small children.
“She wanted to feel the breeze and smell the field, so she could align her dream of walking to her husband before she died. If we had the sensory suite, we could have done that. As it was, we were able to open the doors and feel the breeze, but it was very different.”
The new suite would offer the family solace through a difficult time.
“The pamper mornings and pamper days we give those people who are having those dreams of being able to live that, we will be able to do that. Take them from a hospital room to an area of wellness.
“The place would also support the family through things like massages, yoga and other supportive requirements for those who have been caring for someone.”