Val was referred to our care after being diagnosed with cancer, but was initially apprehensive about coming to the Hospice.
"My neighbour's husband goes to the Living Well sessions there," said Val, "and my neighbour said to me: 'I wish you'd go to the Hospice', but I said: 'no, I'm not going there, that means I'm going there to die'. But she said: 'no, you go there to be well'."
Our Living Well service supports patients earlier in their illness, through individual and group sessions where they can learn more about their condition, manage their symptoms, meet others, and enjoy therapeutic group activities. Taking part in these sessions can enable patients to continue with a much-loved hobby such as painting or gardening, learn new skills, and gain confidence in their abilities. It also offers them a safe environment where they can chat to our nurses and therapists, get advice on matters such as sleep, exercise and nutrition, and meet and make friends with others.
"After a time, I agreed with what my neighbour said and I started to come to the Hospice, to the Living Well sessions, and I felt then the loving care they give you there. But every time I came, I had to see the nurse because I had problems with my medicine. I became very poorly, so their nurses came to the house to help me. I had problems with my bowels. I told them I couldn't manage, so they said they'd arrange for me to be taken in."
As well as offering Living Well sessions, our Hospice in Farnham also has an 18-bed In-Patient Unit which provides 24-hour symptom management and end of life care. Patients who need support managing symptoms such as pain or nausea can be admitted and cared for there, and discharged back home once their symptoms have been brought under control.
"I was reluctant to get help, but in the end I had to," said Val. "I couldn't stand the pain anymore. They brought me in here a week ago last Tuesday and they've been trying ever since to manage my medication. They've been wonderful, and the new Hospice is absolutely marvellous. It's like a hotel! Then you get the meals, and they've been done by a chef. I advise anybody that has to come to be looked after, to come to the Hospice."
Some of our patients require extra support at home, to help them manage everyday living, such as help with washing, dressing, and cooking. Our Patient and Family Support team can help patients to apply for funding for this care, and organise getting it in place.
"They're trying to arrange care for me to go home eventually," said Val. "They've applied for funding from the NHS. I was very much losing my independence, and there are times when I could do with help, especially in the shower. I always feel unbalanced in the shower. So if I had someone to even stand there, at least I'd have someone there on hand."
As well as providing medical and nursing care, we also support patients through physiotherapy, occupational therapy and complementary therapy, to help them improve their strength and mobility, gain confidence, and calm any anxiety they may be feeling. Val has been supported by one of our physiotherapists, who has given her a Zimmer frame and helped her practise walking with it, in preparation for going home.
"I saw a physio yesterday. We went for a walk down the corridor, with my frame. It was my first walk since I've been in here. I was a bit anxious. We got as far as the first doors, and she said she could hear that I was anxious because I was putting the frame down heavily. We're going to have a go with a stick tomorrow; I need to do this to practise."
"Whoever invented the Hospice needs lots of medals. I can't fault them in any way, and I advise anybody that's ill and are offered the Hospice, to come here, because you're well looked after. They all seem to have the same lovely personality, they really care."
