COMMUNITY
Hospice service breaking down the ‘four walls’
HE ‘FOUR walls’ syn- drome is a simplistic, yet insightful descrip- tion of how many people struggle to cope with a debilitating illness in their own home.
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Stuck in their house, with few or no visitors, they can strug- gle to cope with their recov- eries, as loneliness and bore- dom sets in.
That is one of the main prob- lems Hospice at Home co-or- dinator Lisa Anderson has to contend with in her role. Funded by Oban Hospice Ltd, the newly-created posi- tion was set up to help peo- ple with certain illnesses, and their carers, with emotional and physical support in their time of need. this service,’ said Lisa, who has a background in social work.
‘It takes a lot for people to put
their trust in you and open up, so sometimes people say they don’t need help. ‘But I have learned, through talking and listening to peo- ple in that situation, you can need help with. ‘People’s needs are so di- verse: from emotional support to practical help, such as days out.’ The respite days out are cru- cial aspects to the treatment of patients with debilitating illnesses, as it gives them a change of scenery and com- pany with others in a similar situation – away from the ‘four walls’ of their house.
Lisa, who is based at North Argyll Carers Centre on Alba- ny Street, explained: ‘Some of these people can have a long day in the house when they are feeling particularly unwell. ‘It is important we can get them out for a day or an after-
noon, with peer support, so they can talk to people who are going through the same thing.’
Lisa took up her three-year post in October 2011 and has arranged various respite trips for people, including taking groups to the hydrotherapy pool in Fort William.
She has also arranged for pa- tients to meet up with com- plementary therapy practition- ers and has steered patients - cacy and access to commu- nity services.
She can be contact through the carers centre and home visits can be arranged. Lisa added: ‘Everyone is done with a positive attitude at the centre and there’s a great at- mosphere here.
‘The Hospice at Home project is a really worthwhile one and I hope it carries on after the three-year funding period.’
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