15 May 2023
Harbour Hospice is asking its community to support its Open Doors programme, created so that people can benefit from hospice’s care much earlier in their journey.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Harbour Hospice’s three sites become hives of excitement.
The reception areas and hallways fill with chatter and laughter as patients, carers and volunteers arrive and greet one another like old friends. Music plays as they settle in to hear the latest presentation from a Harbour Hospice team member or community guest speaker. Then it’s time for a discussion and the sharing of experiences before enjoying a meal, prepared with love by Harbour Hospice's kitchen team.
This is what it’s like to be part of Harbour Hospice’s vital Open Doors programme, created so that people can benefit from hospice’s care much earlier in their journey and have more of their needs met.
Too often people miss out on this life-changing programme, says Harbour Hospice Chief Executive Jan Nichols. So this Hospice Awareness Week Harbour Hospice is asking its community to support Open Doors, and empower patients to live well until they die.
“Living with a life-limiting illness can affect thoughts, interactions with others, physical health and independence, and Open Doors has a profound impact on a patient’s quality of life,” Jan says.
“The programme is more than music, a chat and a meal. It prepares people for what lies ahead and encourages them to live well until they die.”
The need for support programmes like Open Doors is becoming more urgent in our region because people are living longer and experiencing more complex palliative care needs than ever before.
Harbour Hospice is currently caring for close to 400 patients every day, and demand for palliative care across the region is expected to increase by 50 per cent in the next 14 years, and 90 per cent in the next 40 years.
Open Doors attendee Ted Chamberlain, 89, has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and enjoys the programme so much he chooses to attend it over playing pool with his mates.
He says, “I want to make the most of the life I have left. To meet other people who understand what you’re going through and talk with them, it gives you that real sense of comradeship. We were complete strangers to begin with, we’re very good friends now.”
Following an Open Doors session about how to set up your home to aid mobility, Ted rearranged his kitchen so that he has everything he needs for cooking within arm’s reach. This seemingly simple change made a dramatic difference to his daily life. He also connected with a Hospice counsellor for emotional support and a Hospice social worker to plan for the practical support he may need in the future.
“Hospice is very helpful, because I want to live independently for as long as I can,” he says.
Jan says she’s proud that Open Doors is a “wonderful example of a community working together to look after its own”. Led by Harbour Hospice Day Group Coordinator Tina Perenara, who is a trained physiotherapist, volunteers transport patients to and from the programme or help facilitate the programme on the day; Harbour Hospice clinical and family support teams as well as members of other community health agencies give talks that educate and empower patients; and the Hospice kitchen team provides beautiful hospitality.
“The role of hospice supporters and donors is just as integral because it’s their generosity that ensures programmes like these are possible,” says Jan.
To make a donation towards Harbour Hospice’s Open Doors Programme click here.
