Family and carer support
At Hartlepool and District Hospice we recognise that living with a life limiting illness can affect every aspect of a person’s life and that of their family, friends and carers.
That is why the Hospice offers a range of emotional and practical support alongside the specialist care we provide, that aims to reduce many of these pressures and anxieties.
Our social worker and other members of the patient care team including nurses, the bereavement team and medical staff, work together to make sure people get the support they need, when and where they need it.
This is achieved by:
- providing respite breaks
- offering information and advice regarding welfare, benefits and legal matters
- organising home or nursing care
- arranging for a smooth discharge from the Hospice by liaising with local district nurses and social service representatives
- leading carer support groups
- offering bereavement support
- arranging family work and activities with children
- organising creative therapies including life review and memory books
- listening to peoples feelings and concerns
- helping people to understand their illness or that of a family member or friend and the changes that it has caused
Support for children and young people
An especially important part of the Hospice’s work is to offer guidance and support to the children whose loved ones are living or dying with a life limiting illness.
Each member of our team is trained in child protection issues and is ready to offer support and understanding to children when needed.
Families using our services can also access a specialist counsellor who is experienced in helping children and young people understand a person’s illness, the effects of treatment and the probability of death.
