Nurses for Night Care

• What we have achieved in the last few months thanks to donors like you:

Since January 2019 to October 2019, we have received 569 referrals to the service, and we have provided 1,865 nights of nursing care at home for 569 patients with non-cancer conditions such as Dementia, or Heart Disease. Meaning that in the last ten months, Nurses For Night Care have directly supported 5,690 people. 

Each night of care costs around €320 and this gives someone the choice and dignity to spend their final hours at home, with their loved ones and memories. The demand for this service increases rapidly every year...we couldn't have done it without you!

• Family of Nurses for Night Care patient talks about the service:

“Dementia can be quite sneaky in that it creeps up very gradually. For Tess, it started off with forgetfulness, lights left on at night, cooker left on, going down a number of times a week to collect her pension and getting so upset when she was told it was already collected. This was a very difficult time for Tess as she knew something was wrong but did not know what. It was very hard for the family as this strong, capable, loving, wonderful woman was gradually slipping away – the most painful was when she did not know her children or grandchildren…”

As Tess’s disease progressed, it was clear that a care plan had to be put in place with the Nurses for Night Care service stepping in during the final five nights.

Our nurse Ann was a crucial part of ‘Team Tess’ who all strived to make her last few days as comfortable as was humanly possible. Ann was someone who willingly took over Tess’s care. Her calm, reassuring nature meant that the family could leave Tess’s side without worry. We knew she was in confident, capable hands.”

• How the service works

Home is a place like no other and it’s no surprise so many of us want to spend our final days there with the people and comforts we love.
With your help The Irish Hospice Foundation’s Nurses for Night Care service can grant a final wish. This free, national service allows people with illnesses other than cancer to die in the comfort of their own homes with loved ones. The nurse steps in at a difficult time to provide professional medical care, emotional and physical support and give carers a chance to rest and recharge.

To date, there is no other service in Ireland that provides night nursing for non-cancer patients, accounting for 70% of the deaths in Ireland. Thank you so much for supporting this programme.

If you would like to receive further information on our Nurses for Night Care programme, please do get in touch at info@hospicefoundation.ie

Links:

• Our website