Kyneton Health’s palliative care patients and their loved ones now have access to a state of the art “cuddle bed” thanks to funds donated to the health service. The majority of the funds were generated by the ‘Mt Macedon Realty Wooling Hill Run 2021’ held in November last year.
Locals and tourists were invited to visit the beautiful grounds of the Wooling Hill Memorial Estate to run or walk from the 12th November to the 12th December. Planning is currently underway for the Wooling Hill Run 2022.
Central Highlands Rural Health’s Chief Executive Officer Maree Cuddihy along with Susan Jennings and Sue Whitfield met with Troy Upfield, Wooling Hill Memorial Estate, and Lisa Fowler, Mount Macedon Realty, to demonstrate the Ook Snow All bed that had recently been purchased with the revenue from the charity run.
The cuddle bed is a specially designed bed that allows family and friends to provide physical comfort to a loved one during end-of-life care as physical closeness can deepen connections and improve quality of life. The cuddle bed offers an opportunity for loved ones to lay together and provide compassionate care as people near the end of their life.
Troy Upfield said:
“We are thrilled that the hospital has been able purchase a cuddle bed for their end of life patients. Raising funds for healthcare is so important and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the local community that came and participated as well as the major sponsor, Lisa Fowler from Mount Macedon Realty.”
Central Highlands Rural Health CEO Maree Cuddihy said:
“The ‘Cuddle Bed’ will directly impact our palliative care patients and their families, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We are so thankful that Troy and Lisa are committed to the wellbeing of the community.”
Palliative care helps end-of-life patients manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. Our nurses focus on the needs of the individual and their family and through a combination of medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual support, we enable a person to live with dignity, peace and comfort for the duration of their illness.
Funds were raised via individual donations, corporate sponsorship, participant fees and general donations.
Can you give a gift to Central Highlands Rural Health? Donation and fundraising enquiries from individuals, community groups and businesses are always welcome. Please contact our Fundraising Manager via phone: (03) 5321 6555 or email: giving@chrh.org.au
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS RURAL HEALTH – PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES
Palliative care is for anyone who has been diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, neurological disorders, motor neurone disease and ends stage kidney or lung disease. Palliative care helps you to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Some people may benefit from palliative care from the time of diagnosis with treatments often being given alongside.
Our unique local combination of hospital and community nursing teams mean you can move easily between home and hospital as your illness shifts.
By combining medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual support we enable a person to live with dignity, peace and comfort for the duration of their illness. Our care is based upon individual and family needs and
can include:
- Symptom relief
- Advance Care Planning
- Resources such as equipment to help aid care at home
- Emotional and practical support for carers and family
- Day respite and in hospital respite
- Support to access other services such as home help and financial support
- Support emotional, social, cultural and spiritual concerns
- Bereavement
Central Highlands Rural Health has a palliative care suite at Creswick, Daylesford and Kyneton hospitals, giving families a place to stay close by their loved one while our team looks after them at the end of life.
Palliative Care In the Home
Our district nurses support your wellbeing and can assist you to manage symptoms. Our experienced nurses provide quality support in your own home.
Palliative Respite Care
Sometimes carers need a break from the full-time and exhausting work of looking after a loved one. It is important to recognise your own needs, and to ask for help.
Our acute wards in Creswick, Daylesford and Kyneton has dedicated palliative respite beds that can be booked for up to two weeks at a time. The team on the acute ward will take care of your loved one around the clock so you can refresh and look after yourself.
This will give you the chance to see your family and friends, get things done or just sleep to recharge your batteries before continuing with your care role.
To receive palliative care, you can either self-refer or request your GP or healthcare professional refer you to the service. This service is funded by the government.
For more information about Palliative Care, please contact:
(03) 5422 9911 or district@chrh.org.au (for Kyneton and the Macedon Ranges)
(03) 5320 3553 (for Hepburn Shire – through Grampians Regional Palliative Care Team)
For more information about Dying to Know Day please visit: www.dyingtoknowday.com/
