Extending care beyond the hospice

The homecare team are the first team that families meet, as they go to the family’s home to visit following acceptance of a referral. As well as this initial visit they also provide support in a crisis, or during extended hospital stays.

For Asma and Amjid and their two grown-up daughters Zabiha and Maliha, visits by the homecare team give them the freedom to enjoy a few hours of independence each month.

Both sisters have a life-limiting neurological disorder and require round the clock care and attention.  Unable to walk and with limited hand movement, their dedicated parents are full-time carers. In the daytime Maliha attends a specialist education college. After leaving college two years ago, Zabiha spends the majority of her time at home.

Mum Asma explained: “There is nowhere else that they can go and Francis House gives us homecare three or four times a month which is a huge help. Those hours between 3 pm and 7 pm are the best ever, as that’s when Amjid and I get a break.”

The family relies on Francis House for much needed respite care as well as homecare provided by a team of experienced registered nurses who also work on the hospice care team.

Asma added: “When the girls know that the homecare team are coming, they ask Amjid and I to get ready, they want us to go out and have a good time. Because of their condition they need to be given their medicines and any personal care. They are really comfortable with the Francis House team whom they have known for years. They look forward to doing art and crafts and love having their nails done. If they need a feed the team can do that. Zabiha takes a long time to eat and has a soft diet she is also tube fed.”

Homecare is offered in addition to overnight respite at the hospice in Didsbury. Francis House supports the whole family not just the sick child or young person.

Abi, Registered Children’s nurse and Homecare team member said:“Homecare offers that extra support and it’s great that we can come in and enable the parents to go out for a meal or do things that other parents take for granted. Some families may never go out for weeks between visits to Francis House. You can’t leave some of our children and young people with just anybody because of their clinical needs.”