The organisation was founded in 1986, with the purpose of assisting East Rand communities with health care needs.
“Hospice’s aim is to care for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families throughout the region,” said Sheila Lebetla, patient care manager.
The organisation has two sectors of care, home care and in-patient unit care.
Lebetla says there are five home care nurses who care for patients in all East Rand towns, and volunteer givers offer patients and families emotional support and bed bathing services.
“The in-patient care unit offers 24-hour specialised care for those patients whose pain and other distressing symptoms cannot adequately be controlled at home, or for families who need their loved one to be admitted so they may have a short period of respite,” said Lebetla.
The organisation stresses the importance of holistic care.
“We are committed to providing palliative care to patients diagnosed with cancer, HIV/Aids, motor neuron disease and other end stage illnesses,” she added.
“Our areas of service include Benoni, Daveyton, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Germiston, Edenvale, Bedfordview, Brakpan, Springs, Nigel and Vosloorus.”
Hospice is usually contacted by either a family member or the patient, to request service.
“It’s vitally important that the diagnosed patient is aware of his or her diagnosis and that permission has been granted by the patient to make contact with Hospice,” said Lebetla.
The organisation runs a regular day care service, that offers patients time to interact and take part in various activities.
“Every Wednesday, at Hospice, in Benoni, patients are fetched in the morning and, after a few hours of light entertainment and a tasty lunch, they are returned to their homes in the afternoon,” said Lebetla.
Hospice also runs day care programmes in Vosloorus, for children infected and affected by HIV/Aids.
Brenda Bisschoff, the administrative manager for Hospice East Rand, highlights that hospice does not receive funding from government and has, therefore, established various fundraising initiatives.
“Our most successful fundraising is accomplished through our second-hand shops, of which we have 10,” she said.
The charity shops are stocked with donated goods, such as second-hand clothing, household goods, ornaments and furniture.
Therefore, community members’ donations provide Hospice with much needed revenue.
One of the charity shops is based at 218 Kemston Avenue, and was recently opened for the public to find their much needed bargains.
The hospice acknowledges the importance of improving the patients’ quality of life.
“Our focus for being there is not just because the patient is dying, but because the patient is still living,” said Bisschoff.
The Hospice East Rand offices are also located at 218 Kemston Avenue, Benoni West.
For information, contact Hospice on 011 422 1531.
