In palliative care, patient autonomy is very important, especially when they’re still lucid. Photo: 123rf.com
For patients who are terminally ill, palliative care by a hospice can be like a light in the darkness – a service provided to ensure they live well up till the end of their life.
“Unfortunately, many aren’t aware of what a hospice is or what we do. Many also don’t realise that a hospice’s services are provided free-of-charge, or that hospices are funded solely through public donations,” says Kasih Hospice general manager Catherine Ooi.
'Most of the hospices are badly affected by the pandemic,' says Ooi. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee HongA hospice provides end-of life care, focusing on pain management – whether physical or psychosocial (emotional) – of a terminally ill patient. It is a branch of palliative care, which according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a human right.
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The pain healers
In palliative care, patient autonomy is very important, especially when they’re still lucid. Photo: 123rf.com
Dr Vanitha preparing medications which the hospice provides free for its patients. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Dr Vanitha on the phone with a patient. During the conditional MCO, instead of home visits, they rely more on phone and video calls.Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Hospice nurse Nurul Izza provides training to a patient’s family member on how to use an oxygen concentrator.Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Kasih Hospice loans out expensive equipment such as wheelchairs, electric hospital beds and mattresses to its patients free-of-charge. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Kasih Hospice loans out expensive equipment such as wheelchairs, potties, electric hospital beds and mattresses to its patients free-of-charge. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Kasih Hospice's Dr Vanitha. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
'Most of the hospices are badly affected by the pandemic,' says Ooi. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Kasih Hospice nurses handle 30-38 patients each, dealing with three to four patients daily..Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Kasih Hospice loans equipment, like this wheelchair, to its patients free-of-charge.Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Hospice services don't just help terminally ill patients deal with pain and symptom management, but also the emotional and mental pain due to unresolved life issues. Photo: 123rf.com
Kasih Hospice's equipment - most of which are donated - are loaned to patients free of charge, Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
