Palliative care made convenient with wise financial planning
ROSEBANK – The Financial Planning Institute in association with Hospice Palliative Care Association hosted an exclusive breakfast with the reigning Miss SA.
The Financial Planning Institute (FPI) in association with Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) hosted an exclusive and informative breakfast in Rosebank.
The aim of the event held on 2 May was to create public awareness about palliative care as well as advanced healthcare planning. Relevant speakers from both institutes including Miss South, Africa Ade van Heerden, were present.
Godfrey Nti, chief executive officer of FPI, kicked off the proceedings by elaborating on the collaboration between FPI and HPCA. “We entered into this partnership to foster well-being not only financially, but also to provide support to hospice patients and staff.”
He added that one of the goals of the FPI is to establish and uphold the highest financial statuses nationwide and the partnership with HPCA was furthering that. The association also aims to implement a pro-bono planning service for hospice clients and their families.
The CEO of HPCA, Dr Liz Gwyther, gave a very comprehensive description of her institute and emphasised that ‘quality of our dying depends on who cares for us and there should be dignity in living with a sickness and dying of it’.
Gwyther explained that the HPCA is an umbrella organisation with 134 member hospices in all provinces. However, due to financial constraints including lack of funding, some hospices closed down.
She believes that people should be taken care of at home and stated that 98 per cent of hospice care is given at home. Gwyther also stated that hospice care is free of charge unless the patient has medical aid.
However, she added that hospices rely on donations, fundraising efforts, grants from trusts and foundations to fund the services.
Qualified doctor and reigning Miss South Africa, Ade van Heerden shared her extensive experience during hospice training. “I got to understand why it’s important to provide not only medical care but emotional support and extending our reach to the patients.”
The discussion panel also touched lengthily on the advanced healthcare plan, which is a document of one’s wishes and preferences in the event of serious illnesses, helps to guide the medical team and family in case the patient is unable to let their wishes be known.
Going forward entails implementing the agreement between FPI and HPCA, getting the message to the consumers, keeping the momentum going and gathering enough volunteers to do the work.
Details:
- FPI 011 470 6000
- HPCA 021 531 0277
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