News and views from Te Omanga Hospice – Christmas 2020 AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR Just one year on from the rebuild of our and we are seeing a notable increase for hospice, we didn’t anticipate facing another people with non-cancer diagnoses. steep challenge so soon in the way of a global pandemic. Yet through the kindness In response to this growth we continue to of our community and hard work of our support GPs, the staff in Aged Residential team we navigated our way through Care Facilities and in Hutt Hospital to care adversity to provide essential care to the for patients with palliative needs. Our people of the Hutt Valley. integrated service means there is greater equity of access to palliative care for those We know it has been a challenging year who need it. for many people, including the people we care for. As well as facing the end of As I write this newsletter, the preliminary their life, patients and their family and results of the End of Life Choice Referendum gap between Government funding and whanau- have dealt with the restrictions were in favour of the Act becoming law. what it costs to run our service. of Covid-19 like self-isolation and physical The government will spend the next 12 distancing. It was heartbreaking to see months establishing the infrastructure and In these uncertain times, we are extremely families physically separated from their processes before the Act is implemented grateful for your help in providing essential loved ones during lockdown or unable to on 6 November 2021. and compassionate care to our community. hold a funeral or Tangihanga. Thank you for your generosity and A core philosophy of hospice is to neither continued support. Many of our team found it challenging hasten nor postpone death, and this will not also as they worked remotely and change. We are passionate about providing My best wishes to you and your family and virtually to provide care and support. I a high-quality palliative care service to our whanau- for a safe and joyful festive season. would like to thank patients and families community and will continue to provide for their understanding during this time end of life care to anyone needing support Warmest regards and acknowledge staff and volunteers regardless of their view on euthanasia. for their resilience and commitment to Te Omanga. Being financially sustainable continues to be a strategic priority for our hospice with This year we cared for 603 patients and Covid-19 expected to have a lasting impact families compared with 414 patients and on our ability to raise funds. There families ten years ago. There is a greater are many unknowns as we strive to raise Biddy Harford MNZM need for our service as the population ages, nearly $3 million each year to bridge the Chief Executive of Te Omanga Hospice A TIME TO REMEMBER Often people describe hospice care as a Farmers is also hosting Trees of wraparound service or like a korowai/cloak Remembrance in store to remember loved as we surround not only the patient but their ones this Christmas. Everyone who makes a family and whanau- with the loving care and donation while shopping in store will receive support they need at the end of life and in a remembrance card, which you can write a bereavement. This year’s limited-edition special message on and place on the tree. hospice bauble is inspired by the korowai and is decorated with delicate feathers both inside 100% of donations from Trees of and out. Remembrance and from the sale of baubles at Farmers Queensgate and Upper Hutt will The baubles are $10 each and available at be donated directly to Te Omanga Hospice. Farmers' stores. They have become popular In a year which has been difficult for retailers, collectors' items with many people adding we are extremely thankful to Farmers for them to their tree each year or gifting them their generous support of hospice care in our to others. community. Compassion Respect Partnership Learning IN MEMORY OF STEVEN GEORGE DEARNS A MOMENT IN HISTORY Michelle,Michelle, Steven Steven and Georgia and Dearns. Georgia Dearns At 12 noon on 14 September hospice staff took “My Dad was the greatest man alive, my superhero, my support and my best part in creating a Ma-ori Language Moment by - friend,” says Georgia Dearns. coming together for waiata in celebration of Maori Language Week. The Ma-ori Language Commission Georgia’s Dad, Steven George Dearns, was diagnosed with cancer and reported more than one million people joined in received hospice care towards the end of his life. “Everything went well for the moment, making it the largest single celebration of te reo Ma-ori in New Zealand’s history. Ka mau many months after he was diagnosed. We had our hiccups and worries but te wehi! then things went downhill, and I knew I was going to lose my Dad sooner than I wanted,” says Georgia. In August Georgia’s Dad was admitted to the Inpatient Unit at Te Omanga Hospice. “The team were amazing with Dad in his last two weeks with us, making him as pain free as possible and very comfortable when he passed. They were also incredible with the support to both Mum and I and making sure we could just cry and let go of all our emotions whenever we wanted,” says Georgia. Georgia was aware of the fundraising challenges Te Omanga faced during Covid-19 so set up an online Givealittle page in memory of her Dad. The page attracted many generous donations, raising an incredible $12,998.09 for Te Omanga. Many of her Dad’s colleagues, teammates, family and friends shared their memories on the page, describing him as a “tower of strength, exceptional person and top bloke.” "A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses." We are very grateful to Georgia for her wonderful initiative and amazing support of our hospice. — Proverb 15 YEARS OF FASHION FOR TE OMANGA The Mall in Upper Hutt was at capacity for the challenges with events in the current Covid-19 2020 Festival of Summer Fashion in October environment. where models on the runway showcased the latest fashion from Ballentynes, Farmers We are extremely thankful to Shirley Jones and and The Warehouse. Compere and singing her team of helpers and sponsors for organising sensation Gareth Barker entertained the crowd the event. This is the 15th year Shirley has while the two youngest models stole the show held the Fashion Show, raising a grand total of with their charm and gorgeous outfits. $91,239.04 for Te Omanga over this time. What an amazing show of loyalty and support, which $9,365.24 was raised for Te Omanga on the makes a very real difference to the hospice care Michelle,Margaret Griffin, Steven Debbie and Ferrel, Georgia Gareth DearnsBarker and night, which is an amazing result given the we provide to people in our community. Shirley Jones. BEFORE I DIE... Building a little house to retire in, making Mum proud and seeing the back of Covid-19 were some of the aspirations Hutt Valley residents chalked up on a special wall in selected Hutt City libraries during August. Te Omanga created the wall as part of a global art project to bring to life conversations about death, dying and grief. Originally created by Candy Chang on an abandoned house in New Orleans after the death of a loved one, there are now more than 5,000 walls in 78 countries and 36 languages. Education Coordinator, Raelee Jensen says “many people find it hard to talk about death, but the reality is ten out of ten of us are going to die. It’s a normal part of life and as a compassionate community we all have a role to play in caring for others at the end of life and in bereavement.” It was encouraging to see many people engaging with the wall and taking Michelle, Steven and Georgia Dearns Annie Hand (Clinical Nurse Specialist) with the ‘Before I die’ wall at the opportunity to reflect on their life. A special thank you to Bob Petone Community Library. Robinson and Evan Benson for building the wall. BELLISSIMO LONG ITALIAN LUNCH It was third time lucky for our Bellissimo Lungo Pranzo in September. After postponement due to Covid-19, it was an absolute pleasure to welcome 200 guests to little Italy at the Lower Hutt Events Centre. Guests were treated to a sumptuous long Italian lunch featuring antipasto, tagliatelle with mussels and clams, braised lamb, chicken cacciatore and a dolce tasting plate to finish. A special thank you to our talented chefs: • Ashish Dhar, Sarin Hotels • Jonathan Dowling, Soprano Petone • Kalim Stevens, Sarah Searancke Catering • Laurent Loudeac, Duke of Wellington • Yufei Xie, OLI & MI Kitchen The support and generosity of those in the room on the day was overwhelming with the highlight being the superb live auction run by Grant Henderson from Bayleys. This event would not be possible without the kindness of so many individuals and local businesses, many of whom are listed on the back page of this newsletter. An incredible $77,020 was raised for Te Omanga. What a big difference this will make, helping us keep hospice care free of charge to all those who need it. Photos: Pete McDonald. E OMAN E OMAN T G G T G G A N A IN H I H T T O R O R S S O O P P P P I I C P C P E E U U S S • • • • G G y y t t if i if i t 2 n t n i i 10 n n g u g u c m c m ar om ar om e to our c e to our c OM OM TE AN TE AN G GA G GA IN IN T H T H R O R O O S O S P P P P I I P C P C U U E E S S • • • • G G y y t t if i if i t 3 n t 5 n in in g u g u c m c m ar om ar om e to our c e to our c DAYS OF CARE OM TE AN G GA IN H T O DID YOU KNOW? R S O P P I P C U E S • • Te Omanga Hospice offers a holistic approach to care G y t if i t n because we know the wellbeing of patients and their in g u c m families is important in living well at the end of life.