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This Hospice Awareness Week (May 15-21) Harbour Hospice is asking for support for its Open Doors programme, created so that people can benefit from hospice’s care much earlier.
Every second Wednesday, Hibiscus House in Red Beach becomes a hive of activity, filled with chatter and laughter as patients, carers and volunteers arrive and greet one another.
Music plays as they settle in to hear a presentation from a Harbour Hospice team member or guest speaker. Then it’s time for a discussion and the sharing of experiences before a meal is served.
This is what it’s like to part of Harbour Hospice’s vital Open Doors programme.
Diane McNaughton, 75, began attending Open Doors in 2020 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, then her husband and caregiver Bob, 77, joined last year when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Matakatia couple say they love the fact that everybody at Open Doors understands what they’re going through.
“We have a lot of empathy for each other and we really enjoy talking to each other; we have a few giggles,” she says. “It has helped me to cope better with my condition.”
A presentation about getting legal matters in order helped the couple plan ahead, Diane says. “And we’ve learned a lot about allowances, grants, and support services such as Age Concern and Senior Line.”
Bob says it is important that people have the time to sit down and talk with you, slowly coax out what is troubling you and maybe help.
“There’s a bit of emotion involved at times, and a bit of a hilarity – it’s a very people-friendly space,” he says.
Harbour Hospice chief executive, Jan Nichols, says too often people miss out on this programme, which is why it is the focus for fundraising this Hospice Awareness Week.
“The need for support programmes like Open Doors is becoming more urgent because people are living longer and experiencing more complex palliative care needs than ever before,” Nichols says.
Harbour Hospice currently cares for close to 400 patients every day, and demand for palliative care across the region is expected to increase by 50 percent in the next 14 years.
“Open Doors has a profound impact on a patient’s quality of life,” Nichols says. “The programme is more than music, a chat and a meal. It prepares people for what lies ahead and encourages them to live well until they die.”
Nichols says that Open Doors is a “wonderful example of a community working together to look after its own”. Led by Day Group coordinator, Tina Perenara, who is a trained physiotherapist, volunteers transport patients to and from the programme or help facilitate on the day. Clinical and family support teams, as well as members of other community health agencies, give talks and the kitchen team provides delicious food.
“The role of hospice supporters and donors is just as integral because it’s their generosity that ensures programmes like these are possible,” Nichols says.
Hospice Awareness Week runs from May 15-21. Donations can be made at harbourhospice.org.nz/donate/appeal and follow Harbour Hospice on Facebook to track other Awareness Week activity.
