Nurses for Night Care

Over the holiday season, as families gather to celebrate, some will be facing the unimaginable loss of someone they love. In their darkest moments, our Nurses for Night Care service will be there, offering comfort and connection when it’s needed most. Below is a letter written by one of Irish Hospice Foundations, Nurses for Night Care, Sharon. Sharon shares a story that highlights the incredible difference your continued support makes.  

‘I remember going into a house just before Christmas. It was three daughters and their beautiful Mammy. The father died only a few months before, so the family were already heartbroken. And now their Mammy was dying too. I walked into the room, and they were all sitting around the bed in silence, still as statues. I said, ‘Is it always like a library in here?’ The girls all started laughing and saying... ‘Oh no, not at all, Mammy loves the craic...’ And so I said why don’t we put onsome music your Mammy likes. They chose The Beatles. And the nextthing, she slowly opened her eyes and smiled at her girls. Now, that might not sound like much. But they’d been sitting with theirMam, desperate for her to respond, andnothing was happening. And then all of a sudden, she was back in the room with them again, just for a little while. You can understand how much that time meant to them. A few hours later, their Mammy woke up one last time and looked at her daughters before she died. It was incredibly sad. Her girls’ grief was profound. If you’ve lost your Mam, I know you understand. But, kindness like yours gave the family the most precious parting gift there is. That one last moment of love and recognition that passed between mother and daughters — It means everything. 

With your help, Nurses for Night Care like myself will be out there all across Ireland on Christmas Eve, and Christmas night as if it were any other night. 

Thank you so much for giving if you can. 
With all my love to you and yours, 

Sharon x' 
(Nurse for Night Care) 

On behalf of the Irish Hospice Foundation, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to GlobalGiving for supporting of our Nurses for Night Care service. The contributions made via the platform have made a significant impact, providing expert nursing care to those with life-limiting conditions such as dementia, motor neurone disease, and heart failure. 

The demand for Nurses for Night Care Service continues to grow, with 2023 marking a significant year where we provided 2,920 nights of care to 1,000 people, offering essential support during their final moments. Our initial numbers up to the end of March of this year are showing that IHF provided 811 nights of nursing care thanks to donors like you. The service operates every night of the year, in every county in Ireland.  

Voluntary donations, such as those received through GlobalGiving, enable us to reach families across Ireland, offering not just medical support, but emotional comfort and reassurance during one of the most challenging times in their lives. 

Sharon a Night Nurse for 13 years, puts into words the impact the service has on those families who receive it. ‘I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Nurse for Night Care for the past 13 years. I’d like to share a story that exemplifies the profound impact your donations have. On my very first night shift, I cared for a retired teacher, a woman I’ll call Marie, who was surrounded by her loving family. The relief and comfort my presence brought to Marie and her daughter were palpable. Marie’s final wish was to die at home, surrounded by her loved ones and even her loyal dog. Your support made it possible for Marie’s last moments to be spent in peace, with her daughter holding her hand.’ 

As more people are choosing to die at home, our Nurses for Night Care service is more important than ever. Your donations directly contribute to making these vital services available to more families each year, helping us to support people to spend their final moments in comfort of their home surrounded by those they love. 

Irish Hospice Foundation remains committed to providing compassionate, expert care to those at the end of life. Together, we are making a profound difference in the lives of families across Ireland. Thank you for your continued generosity