For many people, until they experience hospice care their understanding of what a hospice does is limited. One of the aims of our new look and feel is to raise greater awareness of who we are and what we do throughout our community. Kamaljit has lived in the Greenwich area for most of her life. She’d been aware of the hospice for several years, but her first real experience of it was when her father-in-law needed end-of-life care. Initially, the family was hesitant about hospice care, “We were very reluctant to send him to a hospice because we really had no idea what happens there. You have visions of people just being left to deteriorate,” Kamaljit explains. This is a common misconception of hospices, but one that is quickly dispelled when people actually see and experience our care first hand. “Before he moved to the hospice, some of the hospice nurses came to attend to him at home. Their care was exceptional, and it gave us a glimpse of the kind of support that awaited him at the hospice.” For Kamaljit and her family, any remaining reservations quickly dissipated upon their first visit to the hospice. “It was so lovely, so tranquil, so calm, so clean, and the staff were lovely. His room was so warm and inviting.” This positive experience not only reassured Kamaljit but also brought immense relief to her mother-in-law, who had been worried about her husband’s care. “Knowing he was well looked after allowed my mother-in-law to focus on her own wellbeing as well.” Despite her own experiences, Kamaljit is aware that there are still cultural taboos and misconceptions surrounding hospice care. “Many people feel it’s not for them or view it as a last resort.” We’re hopeful that we can dispel the ‘taboos’ around hospice care and empower our community with knowledge and awareness of what we do.
Before he moved to the hospice, some of the hospice nurses came to attend to him at home. Their care was exceptional, and it gave us a glimpse of the kind of support that awaited him at the hospice.
