Caring Hands Helped Me to Support Mum Better Patient Story
14 Apr 2022 -- Posted by :
Carol Walker’s mum, Rita Walker, 81, visited the Dr Kershaw’s Well-Being Centre, before receiving end-of-life care in her own home. When Rita died she weighed just under 5 stone, the team treated her so delicately, and helped Carol to know how to support her mum better at times when they weren’t there.
Carol explained: “Dr Kershaw’s community team were brilliant in their care for mum, and I learnt a lot from them. When people are in a fragile state you don’t just touch them you tell them what you are going to do, they talked to her and put mum at ease. They looked after us both, asking me every day if I was ok and if I was eating and sleeping. Their visits weren’t rushed or time managed, it felt like they spent quality time with me and mum, they moved her, washed her, and treated her with dignity.
On the day mum died, I rang them and they were there within 15 minutes. Mum was holding my hand, and wouldn’t let go, they helped me to move my hand in a way which made me feel like I wasn’t pulling my hand away from her, which was lovely as I didn’t want to let go. I think Dr Kershaw’s knew she was going that day, and the team came back later on to move mum and make her more comfortable. I don’t think I could have got through it all without Dr Kershaw’s, it made me realise how wonderful the Hospice actually is, it felt like they were looking after their own family it wasn’t just a job for them, they treated mum like their own.”
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Registered Charity Number: 1105924
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
Turf Lane, Royton, Oldham OL2 6EU
phone: (0161) 624 2727