Helderberg Hospice offers the same Palliative Care service to everybody, regardless of race, gender or social standing, and the story of John* describes this perfectly. Our fundraising efforts are so important in allowing us to offer this service to all who need it, when it matters most. Our Social Worker, Dianne Waddington tells his story […]
Often times when talking with clients who are grieving the loss of a loved one, I hear them say: “I feel so guilty for saying this, but to be honest I am so relieved”. Feeling relieved that your loved one has passed away is completely normal. The sense of relief can be related to many […]
The temple bell stops but the sound keeps on coming out of the flowers (Basho) Matsuo Bashō (1644 –1694) was a respected Japanese poet who wrote many three-line poems, called Haikus. I remember an elderly person saying, “The graveyard is an interesting place. It is full of untold stories. Make sure that when you die, […]
One is somehow always aware of there being a hospice nearby. Whether the full extent of their services becomes known, is I suppose, dependent on the relationship entered into between hospice and the ‘patient’ & their family members. Towards the end of 2019 my mother-in-law Lorna started losing weight at a rapid rate. Going into […]
At times, we may feel at a loss for words, and aren’t sure if we are saying the right things to a loved one who is nearing the end of their life. While your mere presence can make a significantly positive impact on that loved one, there are certain things that may be important for […]