inTOUCH OCTOBER 2022
your connection to Hospice tou hononga ki Hospice
HOSPICE AT HOME: CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY
Jessica Londhe, Tōtara Hospice Social Worker, has just stopped for a quick coffee break after visiting two of her at-home patients this morning. She pauses for a deep breath. It’s been a tough morning supporting families as well as the terminally ill. Her role is a demanding one that calls for both professionalism and sensitivity. It is a job that covers a wide range of roles, such as helping patients deal with the emotional pain of being terminally ill, helping them put their wills in place or arranging their funeral plans, and supporting whānau who are struggling to come to terms with their loved ones’ illness.
Tōtara Hospice in the Community Few people are aware that our role is much broader than hospice beds. In fact, only 16% of our patients enter the Hospice Inpatient Unit. The majority of those we care for are home-based and require community workers to visit them and coordinate their needs as well as supporting the wider whānau.
Tōtara Hospice has a large Hospice-At-Home team, including social workers like Jessica, physio’s, occupational therapists, spiritual and cultural consultants, nurses and bereavement counsellors. *Names and some details have been changed to protect the privacy of our patients.
A Day in the Life of a Tōtara Hospice Social Worker Jessica’s diary of a typical day provides insight into the broad range of scenarios our patients and their whānau are facing and shows the many avenues of support Tōtara Hospice provides to those facing a terminal diagnosis and their loved ones.
23rd June 2022 8.30am – In the office After our clinical meeting I check my emails and prepare all the files I need for the day. Jump in the car and off I go to see Tina.
able to buy them some toys, probably the last from her. It’s a small thing to do for her but has so much meaning. 11.00am – Fetu, 57 Fetu has an inoperable brain tumour. His family are exhausted and stressed as he was the main breadwinner. I am seeking out every avenue available for financial help. Fetu’s cognitive functions have decreased and he can only remember his sister and daughter, not other family members. I suggest to the whānau that it’s time for Fetu to move to a high-care facility. The whānau is hesitant but knows it is the right decision. I call the high-care facility to check the availability of a bed and to organise transport. 12.30pm – Lunch Back at the office, I grab a quick bite. I call two lawyers to organise a Will at short notice. I know how tough it can be for a whānau to sort out their financial affairs without one. One of them says yes.
9.30am – Tina, 29 Tina is a young mum with terminal cancer and four children aged under 10. She is overcome with grief today and worried about her children. I organise with our fundraising team for her to be
IT’S NOT JUST A BED. IT’S A FAMILY MEAL NIGHT.
4.00pm – Jamal, 42
1.30pm John - 56 John recently lost his wife to breast cancer and is struggling to cope with his grief. He gives me a big hug as soon as I walk through the door.
Earlier he found his little daughter’s diary. The last entry said, “Mummy, please get well soon”. I organise for John to receive bereavement counselling from our Hospice team. 2.30pm – Helen, 26 Helen was living overseas when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She returned home to New Zealand with her partner to be with her whānau, who are understandably distraught. Helen’s decline has been fast. She’s in significant pain and no longer communicative.
Jamal has renal failure. He lives with his whānau in poor housing conditions, severely affecting his already ailing health. Everyone is overwhelmed, helpless, and distraught. They beg me to find them somewhere safer and more suitable. Back at the office, I apply for emergency accommodation through Kāinga Ora. 5.00pm – Leave the office After completing all my paperwork and making some final phone calls, I race to watch my son’s soccer game. I take a moment to appreciate how valuable time with family is. Especially today.
Appreciating Each and Every Day It was a tough day, but Jessica remains positive. Each and every day, she rubs up against the harsh realities of life. But she also sees so much love. So many beautiful moments between whānau and friends. So much gratitude towards her for the role she plays. It means she is more aware than most that each day is a gift. As Jessica says, “Time is precious for our patients.” Jessica, and all our staff, play a crucial part in making each of those remaining moments count.
I speak to Dr. James at our Inpatient Unit and we agree Helen should be brought in immediately. I gently discuss with the whānau the need to start thinking about funeral plans, but not today.
If you would like to support the work of Tōtara Hospice please consider making a donation, details can be found on the back page.
THANK YOU
Your support has meant we have been able to replace ALL our outdated beds. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our campaign to replace our critically out-of-date beds. We had hoped to replace four of our nine beds, with your help we raised enough to replace all nine!
IT’S NOT JUST A BED. IT’S A COFFEE DATE WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND.
A special shout out to the BNI Metro group who took part in the Jail and Bail fundraiser, putting themselves in ‘jail’ until they could raise their ‘bail’ all in the fun of raising money for our bed campaign; and the Trillian Trust and Lions Club of Howick who kindly funded the last two beds. A special thank you to the following supporters:
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Thank You from Dr Ja mes
As the Medical Director of Tōtara Hospice, I don’t often wri te to our supporters, I tend to spe nd my days helping improve our patien ts’ quality of life and death. But, I wan ted to ack nowledge everyone who has donated to us over this critical per iod. During the multiple lockdowns over the last two years, our hospice stores were shut, and we could not hold any fun draising events resulting in us losing a significant amount of income, but we put resoundingly with donations the word out and you responded that have helped us signif icantly. I never wanted our financ ial crisis to have a direct palliative ser vices, and impact on while we still have a way to go, your continued donations give me confidence we can get there. In my role, dealing with death and dying every day , people often com ment to me about how hard that must be, and the y are right in some ways. However, it mig ht come as a sur prise to learn that I love my job. Being able to help families navigate the journey of a dying loved one is a true honour. Death is the one guarantee in our lives, and you only get one chance to get it right. Hospice is not onl y about dying; it is about helping patien ts live life to the fullest, with the tim e they have left - living well and dyi ng with dignity. Your donations have gone directly towards supporting the fro ntline care of patients and whānau jus t like yours, and for that, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.
Yours in ser vice,
James Jap
Dr James Jap Medical Director and Pal liative Medicine Specialis t
YOU’RE INVITED
Come and check out our newly re-vamped The Gardens Hospice Shop. This boutique store has a special kids’ section, which includes clothes, toys, games, and books. There are also beautiful women’s clothes and accessories, and we even have racks dedicated to jeans and our male shoppers. Why not come visit our store and grab a coffee and a bite to eat from the Tōtara Hospice Café Aroha across the road. We will be revamping more stores over the next couple of months so be sure to pop into your local store – you will always find a fabulous range of affordable pre-loved clothing, bric-a-brac, homewares, furniture, antiques, and collectables.
I always come away after shopping with satisfaction, and the thought of contributing to a worthy cause... more people should donate to charity or support charities - buy recycling - most items are very
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Hospice Shop Customer
MEET DIANNE
For more information visit www.hospice.co.nz/shop-with-us THE GARDENS HOSPICE SHOP 91-97 Charles Prevost Drive The Gardens
Name: Dianne Role: Hospitality Volunteer Shift: Weekly morning shift
PAKURANGA HOSPICE SHOP 114 Reeves Road, Pakuranga Heights
Dianne has known about Tōtara Hospice for “a long time” but it wasn’t until someone from her tennis club dropped off a bunch of pamphlets about us and volunteering, that she thought to herself “Why not give it a go.”
HOWICK HOSPICE SHOP Rice’s Mall, 61 Picton Street Howick
Having previously worked driving trucks for her own business, Dianne is a perfect example of how Tōtara Hospice embraces people from different backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. Dianne originally started volunteering in one of our 6 Retail shops. After hearing that we were desperately looking for more volunteers to fill our Hospitality roles, Dianne saw where she was most needed and stepped up to the challenge. In her hospitality role, a few of the ways that Dianne helps the kitchen staff, is by “washing the dishes, taking out the rubbish, assisting in the café” and, most importantly, cheering up the team with a bit of singing as she works. Dianne loves that volunteering at Tōtara Hospice gives her another opportunity to meet more new people. “I really enjoy it” she replied when asked how she feels about her volunteering role, “I enjoy the company. It’s a good job, the kitchen team are really nice, and I enjoy giving back to the community.” And for anyone considering volunteering, Dianne’s word of advice - “If you have the time, why not? It’s a good cause.”
TAKANINI HOSPICE SHOP 198 Great South Road Takanini TŌTARA HOSPICE MEGASTORE 42a Ben Lomond Crescent Pakuranga MANUKAU HOSPICE SHOP Cnr Cavendish & Lambie Drive Manukau
When she isn’t volunteering her free time, Dianne enjoys “playing tennis a few times a week, walking” and of course - singing!!
Thank you, Dianne, for volunteering with us and for helping
Make Hospice Happen. 2 | www.hospice.co.nz inTOUCH with Tōtara Hospice / Te Kahu Pairuri o Tōtara
Role Vacancies: If you, or anyone you know may be interested in volunteering in one of our Hospitality roles (or any other roles) please email volunteerservices@hospice.co.nz
ra ōta pen T ap ke Ma ice H sp Ho
WHAT’S COMING UP IN 2022
COME ALONG TO OUR UPCOMING EVENTS AND ENSURE YOU MAKE HOSPICE HAPPEN!
South Auckland Motors Ladies Lunch
25th November 11.45am – 3pm (doors open 11am) 140 Charles Prevost Drive, The Gardens Gather your friends, work colleagues, or clients and join us for a November 3-course Ladies’ Lunch this year, it is guaranteed to be a load of fun with plenty of laughs to be had! This year is extra special as we mark our 40th anniversary. Come along and get some great cooking ideas to make your holiday season that extra bit unique this year.
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Book your ticket for $105 or table of 10 for $995 at www.ladieslunch.co.nz For any enquiries, please contact Jo Davis (09) 640 0243 or jo.davis@hospice.co.nz.
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November
Christmas Night Markets
28th November 5-9pm 140 Charles Prevost Drive, The Gardens
Enjoy a festive evening for the whole family whether it’s shopping for original Christmas gifts for friends and family, enjoying carols and entertainment, or indulging in the delicious range of international foods available from a range of stalls – there’s something for everyone, and better yet you will be supporting Tōtara Hospice. The Light Up a Life lights will be turned on at 8.40pm For any enquires please contact Jo Davis (09) 640 0243 or jo.davis@hospice.co.nz.
CHRISTMAS AT HOSPICE
Light Up a Life
FARMERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Farmers stores will be busy again this festive season raising funds for hospices throughout the country with the Trees of Remembrance campaign. Offering customers the opportunity to make a donation at the counter to receive a remembrance Christmas tag to write a special message to a loved one, and then hang it on the Tree of Remembrance in store.
Dedicate a light to someone you love this Christmas
This Christmas, the entrance of Tōtara Hospice will be adorned with thousands of sparkling lights – each one shining in honour of someone special who is in your thoughts. If you’re missing someone this Christmas, remember them – in the most magical and moving way. Light up their life by purchasing a light in their memory. Every donation received for a light goes towards care for a terminally ill patient and their whānau.
The stores supporting Tōtara Hospice again this year are Farmers Papakura, Pakuranga, Manukau and Botany. Farmers will also be selling a 2022 collectable Christmas bauble; this year’s bauble is called Shooting Stars. The shooting star symbolises our loved ones who have died, lighting up our skies with love and warmth. The stars are poignant as this is Aotearoa’s first year celebrating Matariki, a time when we remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones no longer with us. The mini stars inside represent the comfort of others that have gone before. Baubles are $10 each and can be bought in-store at Farmers.
We will be having a special lighting-up ceremony on the 28th of November so please join us. The lights will be on display for the whole of December for you to visit at any time.
Please help to make this year the best yet by making a donation at your local Farmers store, and be sure to say a thank you to the team at Farmers for supporting your local Hospice.
Available at four Farmers stores
Botany
Manukau
Pakuranga
Papakura
To purchase your light visit www.hospice.co.nz/lightupalife
ChristmaswithLove Don’t miss out this Christmas, get in early and order your Christmas necessities; choose from our range of traditional Christmas products to complement your festive table or as gifts for family and friends. A delicious classic Christmas cake and ham are sure to bring a traditional flair to your Christmas table, while our cookie pies and S’mores will add some gooey deliciousness and fun to any holiday event! All proceeds from Christmas With Love go towards Making Hospice Happen in your community. The support we get from businesses and individuals like yourselves purchasing Christmas merchandise makes such a difference each year to our patients and their families, ensuring we can continue to provide frontline support to those living with a terminal illness.
Order on online today at www.hospice.co.nz/store/christmas
Visit our Online Store for all your Christmas Needs
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WI S H LI ST
Are you able to donate any of the following items to support the work of Tōtara Hospice? • Petrol vouchers for our volunteer drivers • Supermarket vouchers • Black + Decker Vacuum Skin 18 Volt • Gardena 30m Retractable Hose reel Help bring a little joy to our patients and their whanau: • Christmas-themed chocolates • Bundaberg Ginger Beer 375mls cans or bottles • Soft drink cans or bottles • Beer and wine Please contact Fundraising Team on (09) 640 0025 or fundraising@hospice.co.nz to ensure these items are still in need.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, we are always in need of urgent clinical equipment for our inpatient unit or to provide services in the community. If you have a specific amount in mind we can help match it to a need. Please contact Shelley Piper shelley.piper@hospice.co.nz or (09) 640 0025 if you would like to make a specific donation for a piece of equipment.
Thankful for Local Clubs Thankful to the Howick Bridge Club who raised $5,000 for Totara Hospice at their annual fundraising event. It featured an auction of goods donated by members and local businesses as well as a bridge tournament, attracting entries from clubs all over Auckland. The club’s 30-year contribution is more than $100,000!
40 YEARS CARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY – BECAUSE OF YOU This year Tōtara Hospice turns 40 - what a significant milestone it is! From humble beginnings in 1982 of a telephone support line and drop-in visits, our founders, a handful of good folks from the community, volunteered their time and skills and began to practically commit to their shared belief that no one should face death unsupported. Today in 2022, thanks to the trust and support of our community, Tōtara Hospice has grown into one of the largest hospice services in the country, this year caring for over 1400 patients and their families.
Our service delivery occurs through the efforts of approximately 100 staff and 500 volunteers. As your Hospice, our focus is on the quality of life left for patients ensuring that their loved ones are supported and that their final journey is one of comfort, care and dignity. We are dedicated to safeguarding our vision, continuing to grow our reach and securing Tōtara Hospice’s services long into the future. Thank you for committing to the journey with us. We would not be able to do what we do if you did not believe in us.
Ngā mihi/Best wishes Tina McCafferty Chief Executive
Your support over the last 40 years – be it volunteering, a donation, or advocacy of any form helps ‘make Hospice happen’ every day, so thank you. Come celebrate our milestone with us. Our first celebration event will be our very popular Ladies Lunch on the 25th of November, and I would love to see you there!
Grateful for Local Schools Grateful to the Pakuranga College Head Students and House Leaders who spent lunchtime getting dunked with buckets of water for Tōtara Hospice! There were a lot of squeals from wet leaders and much delight from those paying to get their leaders dunked. $437 was raised. Thank you to all the leaders who participated.
YEARS OF CARE
Appreciative of Local Hobbies Appreciative of the Friday Quilters Friends group who donated three beautiful quilts in memory of their fellow quilter Sandra Gray. The quilts were donated to our Inpatient Unit and will take pride of place at the foot of our beds for patients to use. Thank you for remembering your fellow quilter in this special way.
The Gray family at the presentation of the quilts to Tōtara Hospice
Pakuranga College leaders getting dunked for a good cause
Annual bridge tournament in full swing
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED TŌTARA HOSPICE WITH GENEROUS GRANTS Blue Sky Community Trust Fourwinds Foundation Lottery Community N R & J H Thomson Charitable Trust
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Mazda Foundation Trusts Community Foundation Ministry of Pacific Peoples
Louisa & Patrick Emmett Murphy Foundation New Zealand Community Trust Trillian Trust
YES! I would like to donate to help Hospice support patients and their families. It’s easy to donate! Donate online
Visit www.hospice.co.nz to donate please enter reference NL1022
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ASB 12-3032-0715880-02 Particulars: Surname/Company Code: First Name Reference: NL1022
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Mail the donation slip below to Tōtara Hospice PO Box 75560, Manurewa 2243
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Here’s what your generous gift could mean for terminal patients in your community right now: $35 towards comforting, nourishing meals for patients at the Inpatient Unit $62 for an hour of care for a terminal patient at the Inpatient Unit $290 for a Hospice at Home visit by a community nurse $1500 a day’s care in the Inpatient Unit for a terminal patient
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