The Privilege of Caring “I see it as a real privilege to be in this last phase of life with people, being able to do my bit to make it as good as possible for them.” Fieke Noteboom has been working at Waipuna Hospice for nearly five years as a Social Worker, helping patients and families…
A Light During My Darkest Days A story by Lisa Fowler Waipuna Hospice cared for us physically and emotionally, preparing us for the difficult journey of grief, loss, and bereavement. With your help, they can continue providing this vital support to people in your community. In 2008, not long before my birthday in August, my…
Story: Losing the Leader in the Family Losing someone who is a leader in the family is a dreadful loss. This is someone who tries their hardest to make everything okay for everyone, and when they are gone, they leave behind a hole that is impossible to fill. Life will never be the same for…
Quinoa the Comfort Bunny: A Cuddly Companion in End-of-Life Care Animal therapy is used globally to help people of all walks of life. For Waipuna Hospice, a unique service brings immense joy to patients and their families, in the form of our fluffy guest resident bunny – Quinoa. Quinoa’s human mother, hospice Physiotherapist Ann, speaks…
Facing loss alone. Facing a terminal diagnosis comes with difficult and varying emotions for both the patient and their whānau. The process is hard, no matter the circumstances, and for those who live away from family, an instant sense of loneliness and helplessness is unavoidable. For Lucy and Richard, this became their raw reality. We…
Dying with Dignity The importance of patient dignity in end-of-life care cannot be denied. The concept of dignity may be likened to that of love – important, widely understood, difficult to define, and something that can’t be taught in a black-or-white manner. At Waipuna Hospice, we believe respecting patient dignity and giving patients choices is…
Hospice Is Where My Heart Is Trish Thorner is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at Waipuna Hospice. As a CNS, Trish’s role is all about coordinating a team of nurses and taking triage or emergency phone calls from patients and families. After working in palliative care for 15 years, hospice holds a special place in…
Death Doesn’t Always Go To Plan A story about Emma Frame’s journey with Waipuna Hospice. Death doesn’t always go to plan. However, thanks to your support Waipuna Hospice is there no matter what. Every dollar you donate helps us care for the terminally ill and bereaved in your community. Your support makes our care possible,…
Forever Grateful, Forever in My Heart A Story by Nicki Everitt Waipuna Hospice was there for my family when we needed them the most. They took care of my mum, Stella, when she was battling pancreatic cancer, and later my family when we were dealing with the grief of losing someone so special. Mum’s journey…
No one imagines a life of suffering for their child. Jenny Noble, the mother of Waipuna Hospice patient, Hayden, shares her story on finding out her child has a terminal illness before the age of six, and the journey her family has gone through since. When you find out you’re pregnant, you often envision what…