Wednesday 23 October 2024Health news3 minutes to read
West Coast whānau looking after family members at home can now attend free workshops run by a group of dedicated health professionals. The Korowai programme is a Nurse Maude Hospice Service initiative which has recently been introduced to the Coast.
Palliative Care Doctor Wendy Pattemore says, “we are developing a West Coast version of the Korowai programme to give Coast whānau and caregivers the opportunity to learn about how best to look after their loved ones at home. While this sounds easy many of us have forgotten how to look after each other. Palliative care on the Coast is unique as we have to do it from the ground up and this means getting everyone involved.”
“Fortunately, we have a strong head start as our community is really compassionate which is amazing. We want to build that community by teaching others and spreading the word about how to care for each other especially people close to us who are unwell. We have roped in a whole lot of people from across the health system to help with this so our community get to know who we are and what we can do to support them. Key partners in the programme include West Coast Health (Primary Health Organisation), Buller West Coast Home Hospice Trust and Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.”
The Korowai programme is a free palliative care service for whānau, and caregivers looking after their loved ones at home. It is held in three weekly blocks (2 hours per week) throughout the year. Topics covered include what supports are available, tips for good communication, understanding symptoms, dietary advice, managing personal care, best practice for safe moving and handling, hints on organising your affairs, what to expect during the last days of life and understanding loss and grief.
Palliative Care Nurse Specialist Nicky Featherstone is excited about this programme as she has always felt there was a need for people on the Coast to learn how to care for their loved ones at home. “Trying to do this in a hospital environment is really difficult as we have to tee it up with all the nurses and the family at the same time. This programme is a great way to get around that and for people to know that they can care for their loved one at home with good support.”
The programme is supported by staff from across the health system including our moving and handling specialist, our district nursing team as well as our allied health, scientific and technical team who have provided dietitian services, social work support and occupational therapy services in people’s homes. This collaborative approach means whānau are able to access various supports depending on the individual needs of their loved ones.
“We have started with palliative care patients, and we are hoping to widen that to chronic diseases because we know that we have a lot of older people here on the Coast and expect to see higher demand for services in the future. We need Coasters to be able to care for their loved ones in the community and for that reason we are really keen to upskill people to do that,” says Wendy.
Anyone interested in doing the training, can contact West Coast Health on (03) 768 6182 to register.
ENDS
Photo: West Coast’s Korowai programme team (L to R) Palliative Care Nurse Specialist Nicky Featherstone, Palliative Care Dr. Wendy Pattemore, Moving and Handling Specialist Rebecca Neville, Palliative Care Nurse Specialist Sandy Hartwig and Occupational Therapist Rachel Neame.
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Page last updated: 5 November 2024
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