From the Nursing Team March 2009
Holistic care is the corner stone of Hospice palliative care and supports the notion of caring for the whole person. This includes not only the physical aspects of the person, but also their emotional, spiritual, psychological and social/family dimensions.
The Hospice team provides care to meet the needs of the patient and their family by working in partnership with them. We recognise that individuals do not exist in isolation so, while our focus may be on the patient and his or her needs, we are also aware the person lives within a social context which includes their family.
Families and or significant others are integral to the patient and will most often be the first line of support for the person in their illness. Often family members are the first to know of the patient’s situation and they will experience the emotional impact associated with the news of their loved one’s serious illness.
While needing to cope with their own emotional turmoil, families are often required to support their loved one emotionally and physically – often providing ‘hands on’ care. Sometimes family members say they feel anxious about doing the ‘right’ thing for the patient, that they may ‘get things wrong’ or not know what to do because they are not ‘nurses or doctors’.
The interesting thing is that we observe incredible ‘work’ done by family members. Their commitment to their loved one at a time of real distress can be impressive and the extraordinary love and support demonstrated is always profoundly humbling to witness.
While Hospice provides support, advice and clinical interventions, families may be required to provide the round the clock care for their loved one, particularly at home. This can be a responsibility they may not feel prepared for but we see the resilience in families as they work together with their loved one to care for and nurture each other.
It is a privilege to work with patients and families at this time. The Hospice team can teach and support the family unit, but it is also true that we learn something from them as well. This reciprocity is an important part of relationships which can be very meaningful for all concerned.
The achievements of family members who care for their loved ones at home or in Hospice need to be appreciated as the foundation of holistic care, compassionate and loving and determined to be the best that it can be for the patient. Family carers take a bow, what you do is amazing and an example to us all.
Jessie Mravicich
Director of
Nursing
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