Many Dying People Are Missing Out On Hospice Care

This week is Hospice Awareness Week and Hospice New
Zealand is launching a campaign to help raise awareness
about the value of hospice care.

Hospice New Zealand
Chief Executive, Wayne Naylor says there continues to be
misunderstanding and a lack of awareness in our communities
of what hospice care includes, where it happens, and the
benefits of receiving care early.

“Around a third of
the people who die in New Zealand receive hospice care, but
many people continue to miss out on the palliative care
hospices provide.”

“Last year around
90% of people who died (34,000) had a foreseeable death from
a known illness where palliative care could have been of
benefit. They miss out because of access issues caused by
funding and workforce challenges that mean hospices are
unable to reach everyone in need, as well as the fear and
misunderstanding of what hospice care is and who can
benefit.”

The digital
campaign, which shares real life stories of patients and
whānau-family members, reveals the breadth and value of
hospice care that is so precious and full of magical
moments.

The stories aim to dispel a some of the myths
about hospice care, like the notion it is only available in
the last days of someone’s life.

“If we are
involved earlier in someone’s illness, we can support
people better to achieve what they want to achieve with
their remaining life. We are actually about life, not just
death,” says Mr Naylor.

“The earlier people access
hospice the better. Whether that’s weeks, months or even
years before death, getting the benefits of the wrap-around
physical, social, spiritual and emotional support means
patients get to live fully until they die.”

Mr
Naylor said he hoped that this campaign motivated more New
Zealanders to support hospice.

“We rely on the
generosity of our communities to deliver our life changing
services. We couldn’t do it without their
support.”

“Hospice exists to ensure people receive
the care and understanding they deserve, when they are
dying, and to provide ongoing support to their
whānau-family in
bereavement.”

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