Hospice stops in-patient care
The Hospice home visit teams have a medical doctor, nursing sister, social worker
HOSPICE East Rand has been serving the community with great pride since 1986.
Its name is synonymous with exceptional care for families where a loved one has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
With an increase in demand for home-based care, coupled with a decline in admission to its in-patient unit, in-patient care will no longer be offered, leaving Hospice to do what it does best – care for patients and families at home.
Their service area covers Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs, Nigel, Heidelberg, Kempton Park, Germiston, Edenvale and Bedfordview. Each town has its own dedicated nursing staff to ensure hands-on caring within these communities.
The Hospice home visit teams include a medical doctor, nursing sister, social worker and specially trained care workers who can offer 24-hour care to patients in the comfort of their homes.
They also offer a day-care programme in Benoni once a week and twice a week in Vosloorus for patients well enough to attend.
Hospice’s care extends into the bereavement period through counselling and emotional support services.
Common misconceptions
• Hospice is not a “place” – it is the offer of specialised care for those facing a life-limiting illness, their families and their carers.
• There is a common misconception that a hospice is where patients go to die. That is not true. Hospice care is not only for people with a life-limiting illness and a few weeks or days left to live. They offer support and care for a patient right from the time of diagnosis and recommend contacting Hospice for support sooner rather than later.
• Hospice East Rand covers the entire East Rand region – not only Benoni.
• Hospice home-based care is available for people suffering from a variety of potentially life-limiting illnesses – not only cancer.
If you or a family member is struggling to cope with a life-threatening illness or battling to come to terms with a recent diagnosis of a serious illness, Hospice would like to assist and support you.
Call Sr Lethiwe at Hospice on 011-422-1531 (mornings only).
