Ex-soldier Robert has recently been referred to our Living Well service, where he has been able to access individual support from our nursing team, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, to help him with the physical and emotional impact of his illness.
Ex-soldier Robert has recently been referred to our Living Well service, where he has been able to access individual support from our nursing team, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, to help him with the physical and emotional impact of his illness.
“I joined the army at 17 as a young soldier, not an adult but not a boy, and served in uniform until the age of 55,” said Robert. “I went to Hong Kong twice, Borneo, and Belgium too. While I was in Belgium my job was to organise international conferences, and in doing that I travelled to Washington and worked in the Pentagon for three weeks. I also worked in the National Defence Headquarters in Ottowa, the National Defence Headquarters in Rome, in Westminster Abbey – there’s a conference centre there believe it or not – and served in Ireland for six years, over three separate tours. When I left I was determined to retire and I did for six months, but I was bored to tears, so I took a job as property manager of a city office block. While I was working there I heard about a job back with the Army again, so I applied for it and got it. My aim was to keep working until I was 75, but my wife took ill and I became her full-time carer until she died, so I had to retire when I was 70. I had three different jobs before final retirement from a full and varied career, but the ‘cream on the cake’ was the last job. I had the great privilege of working closely with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, to assist in a small way with the wonderful work they do in supporting serving soldiers, their families and all veterans.
Robert has been seeing his GP and other healthcare professionals for help with his heart and lung conditions. Our Living Well service supports patients who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as heart failure or respiratory problems, to manage their symptoms as they live their everyday life with their illness.
“About a month ago my heart failure nurse said she was going to refer me to Phyllis Tuckwell, and asked if that would be ok with me. I didn’t really know what it was about, but I said yes anyway. The word ‘hospice’ conjures up all kinds of connotations; the general public view of a hospice is that you go in and don’t come out, but I’ve now found out that is not the case!”
As well as providing end of life care on our In-Patient Unit and in patients’ own homes and care homes, we also offer patients support earlier on in their illness, helping them to maintain their independence and get the most out of life. Our Living Well team visits patients at home, to find out more about their symptoms and the support they need and to see what help we can provide them with. This may include equipment such as perching stools for the kitchen, for patients to sit on whilst preparing meals, adapted cutlery, and grab rails on the stairs, for example. We can also advise them on techniques to help manage symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety, and offer counselling, practical support and complementary therapies such as massage, too. In addition to the support we give them at home, we run two Living Well programmes, Living Well with Illness and the Creative programme, which are held at the Hospice in Farnham and Beacon Centre in Guildford. Each programme runs over eight weeks and offers a two-hour weekly group session which focuses on a specific topic. For the Living Well with Illness programme, topics include keeping mobile and sleeping well, while the Creative sessions include culinary therapy, therapies through nature and pottery. Whilst they are at the sessions patients can talk to the clinicians there, and also chat with and get to know each other.
“I’m on the Creative course. I had an introductory session with Fiona, one of the nurses, for about an hour and a half, and the next week I joined the group. I’ve done a session on making a memory box, another fascinating session making aromatherapies for different ailments and I’m looking forward to the one on clay modelling – it’s something I’ve always wanted to do!”
“I’ve also had a session with Charlotte, one of the physiotherapists, to help with my respiratory issues, and I’m hoping to see the sleep therapist next week because I just don’t sleep, I’m lucky if I get two hours a night. She’s sent me a bottle of aromatherapy oil which has four essences in it, which I’ve tried, and she’s got some other ideas too. I’m also due to see Catherine, one of the occupational therapists, and I’ve got another meeting with Fiona scheduled in too. I’ve only really just started receiving care from Phyllis Tuckwell, but so far I’ve enjoyed it. It’s changed my view of what a hospice is!”
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