Palliative and Hospice Care in South Africa

Many of us will require palliative and hospice care at some point in our lives. However, a large number of South Africans are unsure what exactly palliative and hospice care entail, and many are unaware that palliative care is available to patients, and their families, dealing with complex, life-threatening diseases. 

Despite palliative and hospice care potentially saving both the government and private sectors billions if implemented correctly, palliative care is provided primarily by non-governmental organisations relying on donations. However, with funds becoming scarce, many palliative and hospice care centres had to close their inpatient units and, instead, focus on home care or, in worst case scenarios, were forced to close down altogether. 

What is palliative and hospice care?

Hospice and palliative care is specialised care that aims to improve the quality of life for those suffering from life-threatening or life-limiting diseases, such as cancer or late stage Alzheimer’s disease, by providing physical comfort and looking after the patient’s psychological, social and spiritual needs as well as the needs of loved ones, include bereavement support if necessary. If curative treatments may still succeed, these will be provided as well, but if nothing more can be done, hospice care allows the patient to live out their last months with dignity, respect and support.

In-patient care and home care

Palliative and end-of-life care can be provided in a hospital setting or at home. Some people feel more comfortable receiving palliative care in familiar surroundings in the care of family and loved ones. With the support of palliative care service providers visiting on a daily or weekly basis, depending on the patient’s needs, many patients can remain in their homes and receive treatment as an outpatient. In South Africa, receiving palliative and hospice care at home is very common, often due to lack of other options. However, when the time comes to find a more permanent arrangement for optimized care, La Vie Care can provide the support and care your family needs.   

La Vie Care Lynnmed

La Vie Care Lynnmed specializes in sub-acute care, palliative care and rehabilitation and provides 24/7 personalized care tailored to the needs of each individual patient.

Being the primary care-giver of a loved one, while dealing with the daily responsibilities of work and family, can take a toll on family members. At La Vie Care, we consider the well-being of the patient as well as their families by providing respite care to allow care-givers time to rest and relax. A social worker can also be made available to provide counselling and emotional support as well as help families understand the process and what to expect from palliative and hospice care.

Palliative care doesn’t necessarily mean end-of-life care as some conditions, like cancer, could go into remission. Lynnmed’s inter-disciplinary team strives to improve the quality of life of each patient with careful pain management, IV treatments, trachea feeding, administering intravenous medication where required, and providing restorative care with the goal of returning the patient to their homes if possible. However, if curative care is no longer an option, Lynnmed also provides end-of-life care, making sure your loved one’s last days are comfortable and dignified.  

How you can help

While palliative care in South Africa still has a long way to go to catch up to the rest of the world, you can rest assured that La Vie Care aims to provide the best possible care to patients and their families. However, if you wish to help those in need, contact your local hospice organisation to volunteer or donate. Everyone deserves to meet their end in relative peace.

La Vie Care Lynnmed understands that the transition to palliative or hospice care can be overwhelming for both patients and their families. Our dedicated team is committed to providing a supportive and compassionate environment, ensuring that every individual receives the care they need. We offer comprehensive services, including pain management, symptom control, emotional support, and spiritual guidance, to help patients and their loved ones navigate this challenging time with dignity and grace. To get in touch with La Vie Care Lynnmed you can visit https://laviecare.co.za/facilities/lynnmed/ or contact us by phone at: 012 348 4995 or by email at: cm@lynnmed.co.za