Family Support
The challenges of a life limiting illness can feel daunting and insurmountable because there are social and practical concerns as well as medical ones to overcome. St Catherine's Family Support Team is here 'for when it matters most' to work together with patients and families so that social adjustments can be made and the best quality of life can be found.
Some social concerns can appear to be relatively simple but are nonetheless important like, for example, 'who is going to walk my dog?' and others can be critical like someone needing help to apply for vital financial support that will enable a roof to be kept over their head. It might also be that a Hospice patient is also a carer and is worried about who will look after their loved one if their health deteriorates.
Our Family Support Team are here to help people and those close to them to work through their distress and frustration in ways that are the most helpful in their particular circumstances. For some, this may be through one-to-one sessions but others may prefer to work with people who are in similar circumstances.
St Catherine's Family Support Team has three qualified Social Workers who are employed by the Hospice. They are registered with the General Social Care Council and work within their professional codes of conduct. They work as an integral part of the wider Hospice team.
Family Support facilitate safe and timely hospice discharges from the Hospice by working closely with patients and carers. Their work is not limited to the In-Patient Unit (residential patients) because they often see people in the community or those who attend Outpatients and Day Therapy.
Safeguarding adults is another aspect of the work of the Family Support Team, it is of paramount importance because the Hospice has a duty of care to protect those who may be vulnerable to different forms of abuse.
St Catherine's understands the challenges facing carers who are often looking after those closest to them. The Family Support Team organises a Carers Drop In and are part of a strong network of agencies who can help with some of the difficulties that carers face.
Bereavement Support is part of the Family Support role which can include one to one support, counselling and where it is wanted, group work.
"The help and support my family and I received from Family Support was invaluable. When you are reeling from bad news about your health, the last thing you want to cope with is the mountain of forms to fill in just to get your entitlements. They just came and took everything away and the relief when all the red tape is dealt with is tangible. The care and service which I have received from everyone has a made a big difference to mine and my family’s journey. All the little things make the big things happen when they come together in a care package”
Links
- GSCC:
www.gscc.org.uk - Safeguarding Adults:
http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=2650&tab=1 - Benefits:
Direct Gov http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/index.htm - Welfare Rights:
http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=768&tab=1 - Pension Service:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customer-delivery/the-pension-service/ - Eligibility:
http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=3149&tab=1 - Financial Assessment:
http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=3150&tab=1 - Carers:
http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/atoz/a_to_z/service.asp?u_id=1553&tab=1 - NHS Continuing Health Care:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2392.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=155
