Helpline Hospice visit
Our helpline nurses strive to give men and their families the very best service possible, by providing vital support and up-to-date information and advice. To do this, they keep informed of developments in the treatment of prostate cancer, often by visiting specialists or centres dealing with the disease. Recently, one of our helpline nurses visited two hospices where the focus is on caring for patients who no longer respond to curative treatment. Georgia Diebel shares with us what she learnt there.
"I’m often asked about hospices and what they are like. So I was pleased to see first-hand how they’re helping patients and their families to enjoy their remaining time together.
"The staff appreciate that some people want more help than others. Some find it easy to ask and some people need help to be offered. They are specialists in their field – anticipating needs and offering support and often solutions." Helpline nurse
In Hospice or Palliative care, the staff have an incredibly important role – both in the Hospice and at home. There is enormous emphasis placed upon the needs of the person and their family and friends. During the visits, I observed as they enabled patients to live out their lives with dignity and peace – and ensured all their differing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs were met.
The nurses, with the rest of the team, provide a wide range of services to meet patient needs. These include pain control, emotional and spiritual support, complementary therapies, physiotherapy, respite care and bereavement counselling for loved ones – all of which can be provided in the person’s own home. Most importantly, every patient is given care based on respect, choice, empowerment and compassion. In speaking to patients, it’s clear that this approach is making all the difference to their quality of life."
To find out more about Hospice or Palliative care, call our The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Helpline on 0800 074 8383 or contact The Hospice Information Service on 0870 903 3903.
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