Hospice Bloemfontein
Hospice workers travel with and care for people during the last stretch of their journey. We become friends who support, listen, and care – unconditionally and compassionately. In return, we get so much back. Dealing with death teaches us more about life than life itself can ever do. We learn to cherish each moment and understand that every breath is a miracle.What is hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with a life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical psychosocial and spiritual. – WHO definition of Palliative Care.Meet some of our Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), members
The MDT comprises professionals and specifically trained volunteers who act as companions to patients and their loved ones. The MDT offers patients the best possible care, including physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects. Apart from the physician, nurses, and companions, the MDT includes a counsellor, occupational therapist, pharmacist, and clergy.
Nurses
Although the hospice care team is multi-disciplinary, nurses, primarily deal with patients and families. Hence, nurses fulfil many roles ranging from the caregiver, teacher, consultant and confident, to advocate. Worldwide, nurses provide an invaluable service, balancing empathy and compassion with the skills to help transform lives. Our hospice nurses working long, sometimes unsociable hours. They inspire us with their devotion and deserve all the accolades they receive. To the three ladies who have been part of Hospice Bloemfontein, from the start – we salute you!Welcome to our newly appointed professional nurse! Sr. Elsabé Oberholzer has joined Hospice Bloemfontein at the beginning of January 2020, after working as HR Manager at Roseparek Hospital for many years. We wish her a fulfilling and meaningful career at Hospice.
Palliative Care Physician
Our nurses are accompanied by a palliative physician, Dr Dalene van Jaarsveld. Despite having a full-time job, Dr van Jaarsveld regularly visits Hospice patients during weekends or after hours. She also attends Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings, discussing the best care for the patients, and is a member of our Board of Directors.Training
We are also involved in various training programs. Not only do ew train new volunteers for Hospice Bloemfontein, but also offer and facilitate clinical palliative, training, communication in palliative care, and training in the psycho-social and spiritual aspects of end-of-life care. Several training programs are planned for 2020 – details will be released soon.Thank you!
To make the care and services that we provide possible, we rely heavily on the ongoing support of the community. We would like to thank all of those who support us, whether through donations, gifts, financial support, or helping us to plan fun fundraiser events.“One of the marvellous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals” – Jean Vanier.
We receive so much support from the community including hampers, meals, vouchers, beds, wheelchairs, walkers, other medical equipment, clothes, blankets, and cash (monthly donations, one-off donations, or an envelope filled with hard-earned savings). Every small gesture makes such a big difference, more than you might realise. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
A special thank you to Mrs Sonia Twigge who so kindly and generously admits our Hospice patients to her facilities for end-of-life care, pain management and respite care. Her welcoming and compassionate staff offers so much support to the patients and their loved ones. You make an enormous difference in so many lives.
Cecil Nurse.
The Modern Office. Designed. Delivered.
Cecil Nurse who supplied us with our office furniture – the tables, chairs, and cabinet are just perfect. Thank you, Eugene Coetzee and Ronel du Toit.
Our office space is also a “gift” – thank you Henriette Hoon.
What is new in 2020?
Grief Support GroupsNo matter how much you prepare yourself for pain, loss, grief, or change you will still have to feel it when it happens. And when it happens, Hospice Bloemfontein is there to support you. We are planning monthly bereavement support groups, every last Tuesday of the month (at Berg en Dal Church, 5 – 6 pm). These groups will be facilitated by rev. Tlagu Molokoane and by Hanneke Lubbe.
A 7-day training session took place in January for our newly employed nurse and volunteer sisters. Sr Joan Marston facilitated this introduction to Palliative Nursing.
St. Vincent de Paul of the Sacred Heart Cathedral has kindly offered to donate food to those hospice families who need it the most. They provide fresh and delicious food from Woolworths once a week. A big thank you to Blanche Mpiwa for organising that.
Food Donations
With Desiree Ngxande, Gert and Patricia Bruintjies who are distributing the food and waiting for our collection. 5 Reasons for hospice care- Quality of Live
- Symptoms and Pain Management
- Emotional Support and Education
- Spiritual Care
- Grief Support
Hospice Bloemfontein receives limited funding and most of the cost for our care is funded through donations and the generosity of those who believe in the difference we make for people facing one of the most difficult journeys in life. Important Dates
- 4 Feb
- World Cancer Day
- 8 Mar
- International Women’s Day (just because… :-D)
- 24 Mar
- World TB Day
- 3-10 May
- Hospice Week South Africa
- 12 May
- International Nurses Day
- 9 Aug
- National Women’s Day
- 10 Oct
- World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
- 5 Dec
- International Volunteer Day
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