Life threatening illness brings with it a myriad of challenges both for the person who is sick and also for members of their family.

Life once considered normal often disappears to be replaced by what must at times seem like an endless round of appointments, participation in treatments, and coping with the often debilitating effects of that treatment.
This situation can leave people feeling isolated and alone with their fears and anxieties.
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Often family members endeavor to protect each other from these fears and anxieties by a conspiracy of silence.
Putting on a brave face and ‘being strong’ seem to be unspoken rules in our society for coping with emotions.
Talking through these emotions can enable you to understand what is happening for you and your loved ones. 

Hospice Wairarapa offers:
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING
You can meet with an experienced counsellor to explore your fears and anxieties. This will free you to connect with your inner resources, enabling you to cope with the stressors you are faced with. Hospice Wairarapa will fund up to four sessions for you. Art therapy is also available for those that are wanting to explore their emotions and is beneficial for both children and adults.

SUPPORT GROUPS
By participating in any of the support groups offered, you can meet with others in a similar situation and experience mutual support.
 
 
FAMILY MEETINGS
Meeting with an experienced counsellor as a family can enable deeper understanding among family members and the development of effective strategies for coping with the many pressures life threatening illness creates.

Sorrow prepares you for joy.
It violently sweeps everything out of your house,
So that new joy can find space to enter.
It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place.
It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow.
Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.
- Rumi

Please don’t wait until everything has accumulated. Supports can enable this to become a little more manageable.

Hospice services are available free of charge to all of those that have a life limiting illness in the Wairarapa.
If you are interested in this service please contact our Clinical Services Manager  or call 06 378 8888 to discuss further.