Hospice pain

Friday July 14, 2023

A DEDICATED palliative care facility could be built in Mount Gambier/ Berrin after Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell was successful in calling for the state government to recognise the need for varied end-of-life care in regional areas.

Mr Bell addressed the House of Assembly on Wednesday, June 28, and told the story of the Smith family and how they would benefit from a local facility.

Annette Smith said she hoped a feasibility study would prove a hospice facility was needed in the Limestone Coast and shared her families struggles with The Border Watch.

Ms Smith's sister, Glenys, has terminal breast cancer and severe lymphedema, living with both of these chronic conditions means she needs full time care.

Ms Smith was prepared to provide this for her sister and moved into her home, but like so many, found the experience overwhelming.

"This was just overwhelming for me and I could not physically do what was required because she would be waking me a few times every night for help." Ms Smith soon decided she needed further support and approached Mount Gambier In Home Hospice Care, SA Home Care and further assistance to manage work, caring for Glenys and day-to-day life.

"At first when I introduced the idea of having an In Home Hospice Care volunteer Glenys was against it because she was so vulnerable and did not want strangers in her home," she said.

"The volunteers would just help by making a cup of coffee or sitting with Glenys while I was able to do a few things and had time to myself." Ms Smith said she also had SA Home Care come over three times a week to help care for Glenys.

However, once the funding had dried up for the services, Ms Smith found herself swamped down with Glenys's care.

"I reached out for a lifeline and spoke to Palliative Care SA which is an amazing organisation," Ms Smith said.

"But there is only a certain amount of funding and once that funding is gone, that is it.

"In Glenys's case, because I needed the extra bit of help in palliative care, we were able to get funding for Home Care Plus for whole day on a Wednesday and a Friday but even then I was getting woken a few times a night and still trying to function, when the funding ran out I got to the stage where I could not do it anymore." One Saturday, Ms Smith sat down with her sister and explained her own difficulties with the situation before calling an ambulance to get Glenys admitted into hospital.

"At this point Glenys could not have a shower because she cannot get her bandages wet, so it was a bed bath she was having and there is no dignity in that," she said.

"I went to her and said I could not do it any"It would be a different type of care and hospitals feel so cold and sterile but if we go to an aged care home it is warm and embracing so we would prefer something like that for family members who are coming to the end of life." In Home Hospice Care committee member Fiona Dixon said a local hospice facility would allow current volunteers to support the community in the facility or in their own homes.

"The facility would be something that is not as clinical as a hospital but is still peaceful and is dedicated to end of life and providing community-based compassionate care for people who have been diagnosed with life more which is a horrible feeling when you get to that situation." Ms Smith said Glenys was now admitted to hospital awaiting to see if she is eligible for respite care in an aged care facility.

"She is 53-years-old and this type of thing happens to young adults," Ms Smith said.

"Having a hospice centre for us would have meant Glenys would already be in a caring environment that is dedicated to looking after people in that situation.

"It would mean we would not have to go through loopholes and jump through hoops to get an assessment to make sure she fits the criteria for aged care. ending illnesses," Ms Dixon said.

"It would provide hospice care for those in our community who need it and we envisage it as a stand alone facility.

"That is what will be explored as well as how it would operate but it will be for everyone because I think people don't understand palliative care is not just for those who are elderly." Mr Bell said over the past year there had been a group of "very passionate" people meeting in his office about getting a facility up and running.

"Ideally, it would combine the comforts of home with the clinical support of a hospital, and would enable patients to say goodbye to their family, friends and pets in a safe and supported environment," Mr Bell said.

"Statistics show most people would prefer to die at home, however most die in a clinical environment such as a hospital and I think we can do better than that."

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