Most of us want to die at home.
Please grant a final wish by making a donation today.
There’s no place like home.
It could be the familiar smell when you open your front door, a cup of tea by the fireside or finding solace in your garden on a sunny day. The feeling of safety, comfort and reassurance when you are cosy in your bed at night.
Home is a place like no other and it’s no surprise so many of us want to spend our final days there with the people and comforts we love.
With your help The Irish Hospice Foundation’s Nurses for Night Care service can grant a final wish. This free, national service allows people with illnesses other than cancer to die in the comfort of their own homes with loved ones. The nurse steps in at a difficult time to provide professional medical care, emotional and physical support and give carers a chance to rest and recharge.
Pauline and her family discovered just how hard this time can be and experienced first-hand the wonderful difference our Nurses for Night Care service makes. Pauline’s mother-in-law, Tess was cared for in her home at the end of her life by the Nurse for Night Care, Ann.
“Dementia can be quite sneaky in that it creeps up very gradually. For Tess, it started off with forgetfulness, lights left on at night, cooker left on, going down a number of times a week to collect her pension and getting so upset when she was told it was already collected. This was a very difficult time
for Tess as she knew something was wrong but did not know what. It was very hard for the family as this strong, capable, loving, wonderful woman was gradually slipping away – the most painful was when she did not know her children or grandchildren…”
As Tess’s disease progressed, it was clear that a care plan had to be put in place with the Nurses for Night Care service stepping in during the final five nights.
“Our nurse Ann was a crucial part of ‘Team Tess’ who all strived to make her last few days as comfortable as was humanly possible. Ann was someone who willingly took over Tess’s care. Her calm, reassuring nature meant that the family could leave Tess’s side without worry. We knew she was in
confident, capable hands.”
Nurses for Night Care provided expertise and comfort for Tess and her family.
“The joy of being at home meant Tess was getting one-to-one care all night long. The nurse could meet her every need without Tess being in distress. Having consistency and the same nurse for the five nights was something we were very grateful for. It was a comfort for the family to get some sleep at night knowing that if Tess worsened we could be by her side instantly.
In Ireland we hear a lot of negativity towards health care. However, not everyone is aware of services such as Nurses for Night Care because seeing is believing and the care and compassion delivered to Tess and our family was immeasurable.”
But the demand for this free, national service is growing every year.
In 2016 we provided over 2,000 nights of care to 600 families at a cost of €650,000. The expected spend this year has soared to €800,000! This is why we desperately need your support to continue this vital work.
Just €40 provides one hour of night care.
