Changing attitudes with hospice palliative care

WORLD Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a day for everyone who cares and would like to make a difference to the terminally ill. It is a day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. The first World Hospice and Palliative Care Day will take place on Oct 8, 2005. The day has been developed in partnership with Voices for Hospices - the world's largest simultaneous singing event in aid of hospice care. In 2003 more than 500 performances were held worldwide over 24 hours In Singapore, the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day will begin on Oct 8, 2005 with the "Voices of Hospice concert" at the Expo Centre. It is organised by St Joseph Home & Hospice and the Metta Welfare Services. This is the first of a series of programmes during Hospice Awareness Week to promote awareness of hospice care in our nation. Please call Teresa at tel: 6761-0116 if you would like to attend the concert. The World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is for everyone who cares about or is involved in hospice and palliative care anywhere in the world, whether a person living with a terminal illness, a health worker, a volunteer or supporter.

By PATRICK KEE

A VERY common misconception of hospice care is that it is only for the dying. However, the essence of hospice care is love and it is patient-centred and holistic. As it is motivated and centred on love, hospice care has the power to change society and human life


In our medically technologically advanced society, there is also a need to address the issue of euthanasia. Euthanasia is a symptom of the dehumanisation of medical care and its primary goal is to hasten death. Hospice care, on the other hand, seeks to transform the dying process into a time of spiritual growth.


An important focus of hospice care is the improvement in the quality of life in patients with terminal cancer. Such a model of care can also be extended to patients suffering from illnesses other than cancer. It is important to recognise the need and importance of comfort and care when there is no cure, especially at the end of life.


The Methodist Hospice Fellowship has volunteers who are trained to provide holistic care to those facing incurable and life-threatening illnesses. Our mission is to help those who are suffering from cancer to live their lives fully in the face of death by:
Providing an effective support system for the care receivers and their care givers in the community.
Equipping volunteers and family care givers with the skills to care for those suffering from a life-threatening illness.
Increasing awareness and participation of the Christian community in the hospice ministry.


For more information, please contact any of the following volunteers:
Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church: Mr David Row 6455-0777 (H) 9649 2564 (MP); Barker Road MC: Mrs Lee Shook Ken 9788-8861 (MP); Bedok MC: Mr Chan Wing Leong 9459-7601 (MP); Christ MC: Mrs Poh Bok Lan 6449-3071 (H); Covenant Community MC: Mr Peter Foo 9634-7368 (MP); Dr Patrick Kee 9190-7705 (MP), Mrs Mary Kee 9798-5329 (MP); Grace MC: Mrs Julie Hong 9788-8843 (MP); Kampong Kapor MC: Ms Jane Long 9021-5687 (MP); Living Waters MC: Ms Rossy Ghee 9017-9609 (MP); Paya Lebar MC: Mrs Sally Seow 9635-0819 (MP), Mrs Catherine Lam 9630-0145 (MP); Trinity MC: Mrs Shirley Lee 9697-6341 (MP); Wesley MC: Mrs Tan Ee Leng 9859-8505 (MP), Mrs Dolly Lee 9828-1668 (MP), Dr Ting Wen Chang 9730-0183 (MP).

'Thanks For The Memory' dinner
THE Methodist Hospice Fellowship will be organising a "Thanks For The Memory" dinner as one of the programmes for Hospice Awareness Week this year. It will be held at The Oriental Singapore ballroom on Oct 12 at 7.30 pm.

Dr Patrick Kee is a doctor with the Methodist Hospice Fellowship.