FWC Hospice wants to help bring patients joy
The FWC Hospice is raising funds for a Snoezelen Room, as such a room will provide a multi-sensory environment bringing moments of joy and healing to those facing the challenges of a life-limiting illness.
One of the most famous quotes by the founder of the Hospice movement, Dame Cicely Saunders reads, “You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”
Within that quote lies the heart of hospice. And it is for this very reason that FWC Hospice is raising funds for a Snoezelen Room, as such a room will provide a multi-sensory environment bringing moments of joy and healing to those facing the challenges of a life-limiting illness.
The term ‘Snoezelen’ is a contraction of the Dutch verbs ‘snuffelen’ (to seek and explore) and ‘doezelen’ (to relax). During the late 1970s two Dutch therapists, Jan Hulsegge and Ad Verheul experimented with a sensory tent at the DeHartenburg Institute. The goal was to increase enjoyment and sensory experience for those with intellectual disabilities. The result of a one-weekend fair was overwhelmingly positive for both verbal and non-verbal patients.
“We hope to be the first hospice facility in South Africa to offer this service to our patients,” said Liezl Kennedy, general manager at FWC Hospice. “Snoezelen can help to relax an agitated person, or stimulate and raise alertness levels of someone who has sensory processing disorders. Our elderly patients can benefit through stimulating their senses such as smell, hearing, sight and general movements. Suddenly they don’t feel so hopeless anymore,” Liezl explained.
Nurse Manager Lucille Dawson recalled the case of a patient who had a last wish of being on a beach again, hearing the waves and smelling the sea breeze. “We wanted to create a scene for her where she could have this experience, using a projector showing sitting by the ocean listening to the waves, and placing her feet in tray of play sand simulating the beach. If we had the facility and the means, we could have helped her making this last wish come true.”
“This beautiful journey called life is one to be treasured and embraced. Our five senses are one of the greatest gifts we have been blessed with. How wonderful it would be for us to ignite and stimulate the patients’ senses once again,” Liezl said.
Gearing up to World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on Saturday, October 9, Liezl hopes to raise the R30 000 needed for this project. You can assist through the BackaBuddy platform or contact them directly on 011 837 2999. Alternatively, send an email to info@fwchospice.org.za.
