HospiceWits celebrated National Hospice Week recently, which focused on the success of the team being able to provide serves to better the quality of life for the greater Johannesburg, North, South and Soweto areas.
These celebrations lasted from May 4 to May 11.
During this time HospiceWits availed themselves to explain what type of services they provide for the community and to who they cater for.
Brand and Communications Manager of HospiceWits, Julie McLeod said that they are a non-profit organisation.
She said: “HospiceWits loves and cares for those individuals who are diagnosed with life limiting illnesses.
“People come to us after receiving diagnosis of a life threatening illness and we normally find that these patients are mostly faced with confusion, denial, fear, anger and disbelief while others try to process what all this means and seeking answers to their questions.
“This is why we have a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach to soothing car.
“Our team offers support and guidance to our patients and their families and our doors are opened to all who need us as there is no end to our caring.
McLeod said they also give their patients the tools to handle their challenges physically and emotionally.
“Let us journey with you from the beginning, as for some this road takes a few weeks to walk, while for others it’s many years of hiking up and down mountains.
“Either ways, let’s take the scenic route together,” she said.
McLeod said death is part of life and all they desire, is for all to live quality lives, which are pain free with dignity, loved and supported, so they encourage patients to allow HospiceWits to love and care for them and their families physically and emotionally.
She said they also welcome all who need us and no one is turned away regardless of age, race, religion or financial circumstances.
Additional this home care gives attention to its patients in the comfort of their own home.
The Psychosocial team also has in-patient units in Houghton and Diepkloof and a Paediatric Ward in Diepkloof.
It further provides services for patient and family grief, loss and bereavement counselling and support, has an adult empowerment project in Diepkloof, a crèche in Mapetla for orphan care and a centre for Palliative Learning which trains and teaches on palliation (relieving pain or alleviating a problem without removing the cause).
This is done in Mofolo South and Houghton to help support communities who need these services.
How people can help HospiceWits is by donating funds, time and goods.
McLeod said: “We ask for companies and individuals to adopt us as part of their CSI project since we need financial support, general donations, need participate in our events and fundraising initiatives or we need them to become event sponsors.
“They can also donate payment for birthday gifts or flowers for patients, support with professional services, donations of food, medication, paint, prizes for give-aways in goodie bags for events and fundraising initiatives.
“People can also donate second hand goods to our charity shops, they can call us and we will collect and for this we can be reached on 011 728 1052.”
All who would like more information on these hospices or who want to make donation of any kind contact Soweto offices on 011 983 7400 or Houghton on 011 483 9100.
