Making a difference to suffering
2007-05-03
HOSPICE WEEK will be celebrated from Sunday to 12 May. This is a time for the community to remember that access to pain-relieving care should be a universal human right.
The prospect of facing a terminal illness and all the physical and emotional suffering that it entails is daunting for anyone.
No one should have to face that without any support to relieve their symptoms and pain, calm their anxiety and help them and their family to cope with the situation.
The focus of their work is not about “helping someone to die”, but about helping someone live as comfortably as possible with their illness.
It is supporting those nearest and dearest and working towards quality of living, whether or not days can be added to lives.
In 2006 Drakenstein Hospice cared for 557 patients and made over 3000 home visits per month by their team of four professional nurses, two social workers, 18 home-based care workers and volunteers.
However, there will never be enough money or trained professionals to care for all people infected and affected by HIV/Aids.
Care based on handouts is too expensive, too difficult to administer and is also highly corruptible, and so they have had to find a way to manage the increasing demands on their service delivery.
It became increasingly obvious that there was a need to provide a place in the community, which will cater for pre-school children infected and affected by HIV/Aids, adult support groups and job creation partnerships.
For more information, phone Drakenstein Hospice on 021 872 4060.
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