32 years ago, after a valiant battle with lymphoma, my father's final wish was that he could die at home. We couldn't grant his wish then, but fortunately for many in our region, help is at hand for those wanting that final opportunity to die with dignity and peace in their own familiar surroundings.
Peninsula Home Hospice is a community-based palliative care service based in Mornington. They were first set up in 1984 by a group of dedicated individuals who believed that people had the right to be cared for and die in their own homes. Since then PHH has evolved into an accredited Specialist Community Palliative Care Service that receives state government funding, supplemented by local community fundraising. PHH provide their services free of charge and extend their care to family and friends of their clients to ensure everyone receives the care they need, including their social, emotional, cultural and spiritual needs. Even following bereavement, support is provided for up to 18 months. The care team includes Specialist Palliative Care Nurses, Counsellor-Case Workers, Medical Consultants as well as Spiritual Care, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy and a Client Resource Advocate. This is supplemented by a fantastic team of trained Client Care Volunteers. In addition to their Client Care Volunteers, they also have a number of Fundraising Auxiliaries that raise funds for PHH by running various events including golf tournaments, luncheons, art exhibitions, fashion parades and the usual cake stalls and raffles. These wonderful individuals enjoy socializing and running these events to raise funds to ensure that PHH is well able to continue to provide and grow their service to meet demands in the future. At any given time, PHH manage at least 200 clients, equating to around 800 in one year. They cover the whole of the Mornington Peninsula – including all the southern suburbs from Mordialloc Creek in the City of Kingston, to the very tip of the Peninsula. It is good to know that we have such a service on our doorstep in time of need and know they offer those living with a life-threatening illness, the option to receive care in their home and ensure comfort, choice, dignity and peace. Now, working in the funeral industry, I bear witness to the wonderful support that PHH offer to our clients and their families and certainly wish that I'd known about this excellent service in 1988. More information can be found at www.peninsulahospice.com.au or Phone: (03) 5973 2400
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