St Catherine’s is still helping us
This Hospice Care Week, we wanted to share some words from Geoff and Di. Geoff is a patient at our Living Well Centre and usually visited our hospice on Thursday mornings. While the Living Well Centre is temporarily shut as a result of coronavirus, our teams have continued to support Geoff and his wife, Di, virtually. Here they share more about how our hospice has supported them.
When we started going to the hospice on Thursday morning it was a lifesaver
“When Geoff was having problems in 2018, I was getting very anxious about him,” explains Di. “We were running round in circles and our doctor referred us to the hospice. We had a hospice nurse come to visit us at home with a heart nurse. They helped Geoff with managing some of his problems with sickness and nausea and not being able to eat. When we started going to the hospice on Thursday morning it was a lifesaver. It was wonderful to see people and to join in wellbeing activities like tai chi exercise and reiki.”
Now we look forward to the Zoom exercise class each week
Geoff continues, “Now we’re not able to attend the Living Well Centre, we look forward to the Zoom exercise class each week. We’re shielding so we’re not seeing anyone, so it’s good to see Lianne and other people. We give them all a wave.”
“Using Zoom has been a learning curve for us but we get the exercise class up on the tablet each week,” says Di. “About six of us usually take part, and Lianne, the physiotherapist, is wonderful. She’s so kind, understanding and patient, and it’s nice that she knows Geoff. She’s friendly and warm and is always cheerful. She certainly cheers us up each week, and keeps the interaction going throughout the class.
When we were first in lockdown Geoff and I were doing puzzles together and arm exercises at home, but after Geoff went into hospital at the end of May, we lost our routine a bit so it’s good to still have this exercise.”
Geoff says, “Lianne adapts the exercises for me if I need it, and it’s feel good after I’ve done it.”
It’s reassuring to know I have someone to turn to
Knowing the hospice is still there to support them has made a real difference to Geoff and Di. “We’ve continued to have phone calls from Lianne and the nurses,” explains Di. “And it’s reassuring to know I have someone to turn to, to chat with and to give me advice.”
Geoff says, “We appreciate everything the hospice does. Even though we can’t visit they’re still helping us.”
St Catherine’s is such a good place to donate to
Di says, “St Catherine’s is such a good place to donate to. Your money will be well used and well appreciated. It will help to make life easier for a lot of people who are struggling in one way or another. Thank you to anyone who is able to donate.”
To make a donation so we can care for more people in your community like Geoff and Di please click here
