NEWSLETTER FEB 2019
Hello! we are well on our way to a great 2019,
our events calendar is filling up.
- 14, 15 & 16 March - Mega Booksale @ Knysna Mall - not to be missed
- 17 March St Patrick's Day lunch - Pelican Lodge, Sedge
- 30 March Sedge Aquathon 10h00 - 12h00 at Turtle Pool
- 14 April - Annual Golf Day @ Pezula Golf Club
Follow our Facebook page for more details or phone the office on (044)384 0593
https://www.facebook.com/HospiceKnysnaSedgefield/
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Just have to say! Hospice staff and volunteers are so filled with the good they give out. Generous of heart, time and most of all kind and gentle. Caring and thoughtful. A real family team atmosphere that is so evident in all that they do.
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Knysna Sedgefield Hospice, was invited by Rotary to have an awareness table @ Knysna Mall on the 16 Feb 2019. Free blood pressure and blood glucose testing was done. More than 160 people were tested with at least 2 people potentially saved from the effects of Diabetes.
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15 Feb is International Childhood Cancer Day
What is palliative care for children? Did you know that our Knysna Sedgefield Hospice offers this service as we are one of the (HPCA)registered + accredited paliative care Hospice's in SA?
Palliative care for children represents a special, albeit closely related field to adult palliative care.
World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of palliative care appropriate for children and their
families is as follows; the principles apply to other paediatric chronic disorders (WHO; 1998a):
- Palliative care for children is the active total care of the child’s body, mind and spirit,
and also involves giving support to the family.
- It begins when illness is diagnosed, and continues regardless of whether or not a child receives
treatment directed at the disease.
- Health providers must evaluate and alleviate a child’s physical, psychological, and social distress.
- Effective palliative care requires a broad multidisciplinary approach that includes the family and makes
use of available community resources; it can be successfully implemented even if resources are limited.
- It can be provided in tertiary care facilities, in community health centres and even in children’s homes.
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You may be interested to know that at Knysna Sedgefield Hospice:
In FY18/19 we had an average of 13 children registered as patients with Hospice. Children are more than little grown-ups the experts like to say. In palliative care there is a classification of children. The average age of our patients is 11.
- Class 1 – life-threatening conditions for which curative treatments may be feasible e.g. cancer
- Class 2 – conditions where premature death is inevitable, where treatment is aimed at prolonging life and allowing participation in normal activities e.g. cystic fibrosis
- Class 3 – progressive conditions without curative treatment options e.g. inborn errors of metabolism /various syndromes
- Class 4 – Irreversible but non-progressive conditions causing severe disability often leading health complications and premature death e.g. cerebral palsy, spina bifida
Most of our children are class 2 and 4.
We have several programmes that include children.
1. We run support groups (currently 60 children) that started as groups for children infected or affected by HIV but has grown to include children who are vulnerable because they live in a household where someone is ill.
2. We had 33 children participate in bereavement support groups that are run in the school holidays over 2 days.
3. One of our networking partners helps us with age appropriate play therapy. In our garden you can see succulents and stones planted by children in memory of a loved one.
4. We work with SARDA (South African Riders with Disabilities Association) who run a programme for 6 children at a time, they ride horses on a Tuesday but it is so much more than just riding they improve their posture, develop resilience and a sense of pride as they take care of their horses. One young man has even ridden in competitions.
5. We also run parenting workshops to help parents or guardians whose role has changed because of a death or illness in the family.
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Knysna Sedgefield Hospice intentionally makes a big difference to the lives of children. Young and old alike our success is due to focused attention and deliberate action. The doing.
It is always with great joy when we receive thank-you letters from vulnerable children. Although never expected .
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At DAYCARE this week, on 19 Feb, we celebrated the 62nd birthday of a one of our precious patients Connie. There was cake, lovely singing and she gave a small speech. Very heart warming.
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Do you have a My Village card? There are two ways to get your card. Apply online and it will get posted to you. Or pop into our Hospice office at B.O.N.D House, 24 Wilson Street, Hunters Home, Knysna and you can fill in a form and we will give you your card on the spot.
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