We know how challenging and exhausting it can be to care for a loved one with a palliative condition 24/7, which is why we’ve launched our new ‘Community Night Care’ service.
This vital service enables a carer to get a much needed night’s sleep while one of our Health Care Assistants sits with the patient overnight from 10pm to 8am.
Steph from Middlewich cares for her mum Pearl, who has vascular dementia, and says the Night Care Service is the ʻgreatest help’ she receives. You can read her story below.
Donate today by clicking here.
Steph’s story
“As a carer to my mum Pearl, I can honestly say that St Luke’s has been a lifeline for me in the darkest of hours. My mum was diagnosed with vascular dementia 18 months ago and is classed as being ʻend of life’. Of course I want what’s best for my mum and, in our case, that is for her to live with me for whatever time she has left – but it’s hard, really hard, and that’s where St Luke’s have stepped in with their new Night Care Service.
Even though I have fantastic support from my partner, a friend and my sister Jan, having St Luke’s sit with my mum occasionally overnight is the greatest help I could wish for. It doesn’t seem like a lot but it is honestly the best support I get. It means that I can go to bed without worrying and without keeping one ear open in case Mum gets up in the night and becomes agitated. It is such a relief. I always say that I’m the sort of person that can cope with anything – as long as I’ve had enough sleep!
Vascular dementia is a cruel disease. My mum can become very agitated and aggressive and I can’t contain her, she hallucinates and she barely sleeps. Recently we were having a very bad weekend when St Luke’s called to say that Emma could come on the Saturday night and it meant the world because I was literally on my knees. I don’t know how I would have coped with another sleepless night.
St Luke’s Night Care is such a valuable new service. By supporting the carer, the Hospice is helping families like mine to stay together at home for as long as possible. Caring for a relative 24/7 is really hard and there are times when Mum is in a dark place and sees me as the enemy, but then at other times she’s kissing me on the head while I’m helping her dress and those moments are precious.”
Can you help?
As with all our services, Night Care is completely FREE for patients and their carers.
If you are able, we would really appreciate donations to help us to support more people in their own homes overnight. Any amount you can spare really will make a difference to the families we support through our Community Night Care service.
Donate today by clicking here.
Please be aware that donations made to the Night Care Appeal will not be restricted and therefore may be used to fund other vital patient care services, in addition to the Night Care service.
