Hospice - caring support in Palliative Care
Many of us have had some connection with our local hospice whether family,friends or visiting. Our hospices are run by a dedicated team of caring professionals.
They play an important part in our community and we can support them by fundraising, volunteering and supporting them.
If you have not had any association with your local hospice, take time to sit and read about the wonderful support they offer to our loved ones.
Why our local hospice is so important
Whilst most hospice services have inpatient facilities, it is important to know that hospice is not just building; it is a philosophy of care.
Hospice provides palliative care, which is a specialist medical service specifically for people who are dying. Palliative care is very active total care – it is not about giving up and doing nothing.
Palliative care is for people whose illness is no longer curable. The goal is around providing quality of life, managing pain and symptoms to enable people to live every moment in whatever way is important to them.
Whilst physical needs like managing pain and symptoms are a priority, equal importance is placed on cultural, emotional, spiritual, and social needs as the end-of-life approaches. Support is also provided for family and whānau both before and after the death of their loved one.
There are 33 hospices services in New Zealand, covering most parts of the country.
When support is offered
Most often, people are referred to hospice when their illness is no longer curable, when their illness has entered a terminal phase. In some circumstances people may be referred whilst still undergoing treatment – e.g. radiotherapy for symptom management.
It is important to talk to your key health care provider about the options available, including hospice care.
Many people feel fearful of accepting a referral to hospice as they view it as the “end of the road”. However, in most cases we hear people say they wished they have become involved with hospice sooner.
End of life care does not mean doing nothing and just letting someone die, it is not about “giving up.” Stopping a treatment does not mean no treatment, palliative care is very active total care.
What does it cost?
All care and support provided by hospice is completely free of charge to people using this services.
As an essential health service hospice services receive the majority of funding from Central Government, it costs around $170M each year to provide care. Fundraising plays an important part in keeping services free of charge. Each year they need to raise around $81.5M from the community to bridge the gap.
Services offered
The services offered will differ from hospice to hospice but are likely to include: • medical and nursing care • cultural support and liaison • pain and symptom control • therapies, including physiotherapy and • complementary therapies • spiritual support and care • practical and financial advice • bereavement care • training and support services for family
carers
support groups e.g. children’s bereavement support, art therapy groups, bereaved men’s group