Palliative Care Week - find out the many ways the service enhances lives

Palliative Care Week is being marked across Donegal with a number of events taking place to provide awareness of the various types of palliative care, and how people can avail of the service.

Events are taking place around the county from September 11 to September 15, with information for patients, their families and healthcare professionals. 

Director of Nursing at Donegal Hospice Catherine Regan said: “We would encourage people to familiarise themselves with palliative care and to get to know the community teams that are out there caring for their loved ones.”

There is understandably a lot of fear surrounding the idea of palliative care. But in actual fact, it is a wonderful, personalised service that greatly assists and enhances the lives of people who are terminally ill or living with life-limiting conditions, be it in their own homes or in the hospice.

This week-long programme of events aims to provide information about palliative care services in Donegal. It will give people the opportunity to meet their community team and to ask questions or seek clarity on the service. 

Programme

Monday to Friday 10am to 12 noon
Around the county, community palliative care nurses will be available. People are encouraged to drop in to:
Buncrana Primary Care Centre
Glenties Primary Care Centre
Donegal Community Hospital
Information sessions at Letterkenny University Hospital. 

Tuesday and Thursday 12 noon to 2pm
Lunchtime talk in Donegal Hospice about syringe pumps for the healthcare profession

Wednesday 2pm to 4pm
Open afternoon at Donegal Hospice, Letterkenny. People will have the opportunity to meet with the palliative care team. There will be a questions and answers session with refreshments served. All are welcome. 

Friday 11am to 3pm
Information stands by the palliative care team in Letterkenny Shopping Centre and McElhinney’s store. 

Did you know … ?

- Palliative care is not only for people with cancer, it can benefit people with a range of life-limiting conditions

- Palliative care is for people of all ages. It can improve the quality of life from infancy right across the lifespan for people with life-limiting conditions

- Palliative care is not only for end of life but from diagnosis of a life-limiting condition onwards

- Palliative care improves a person’s ability to participate in daily activities, including hobbies and routine activities

Patient Experience

Palliative care gave me a stronger and more positive outlook on life, having come so close to death. For me, it was the support and encouragement I received from the Palliative Care Team that helped me through my journey, living each day as well as I can and planning for my care needs. I would advise anybody that’s, you know, offered palliative care, take it with open arms, you will get the benefits. Palliative care does not have to be the end.” - John Joyce, Voices4Care Member

“Witnessing a loved one’s palliative journey changed my life, for the better. I was able to recognise and realise what is important in life: family, love, happiness and health. Palliative care also gave me the gift of time, to say what needed to be said, to share the love we sometimes hold back and be present when it mattered.” - Laura Mc Clintock, Voices4Care Member

“I achieved a good few goals that I thought I wasn’t able to do. There were things that I was afraid to do like go on the bus or go in to my sister. You really get strength from them, and everything that they do is very good.” - Marian Meehan, who attends palliative care day services