The therapies offered at dove house encourage the relaxation response which helps to

• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Improve sleep patterns
• Increase and balance energy levels
• Strengthen immunity
• Reduce pain
• Relieve negative thought patterns

To take advantage of the therapies and support offered by Eastern Bays Hospice you need to reside in the catchment area of Eastern Bays Hospice.

• There must be a diagnosis of illness that is life threatening.
• There does not have to be a terminal diagnosis.
• You may be currently having curative treatment for your illness.(eg. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and need support through this time.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

You can refer:

• Yourself
• Friend or family member – only with their permission

We will arrange for a referral form to be filled in by your GP or other health care provider known to you.

You can be referred by: 

• Your GP
• Your Specialist
• Other Health Care Provider

If you would like to find out if you are eligible for Eastern Bay Hospice services please contact us.
 

• Do you need someone to take you shopping or go to the bank?
• Would you like to have a coffee down at the local shops or an icecream on the beach?
• Would you like to go for a drive or maybe a movie?
• Do you need someone to stay with you while your carer is attending to errands or simply having time out?
• Would you like to record something special in your life or your life story?
• We have a staff of competent and trustworthy volunteers with a variety of skills who enjoy assisting where they can.

Call or email our Service Coordinators today.
 

We recognise that living with life threatening illness is a life changing and very challenging time for patients and families.
Through the programmes we run during the day we provide a venue and forum for support, companionship and respite.

These have different flavours so as to ‘tailor make’ the experience for people.

Tuesday – The Orchid Group meet at around 10.30 – 12.30 for support and company. Sometimes there is a planned activity or simply catching up with each other. Refreshments are provided. A relaxation class is also held from 1 - 2pm.

Wednesday is  the day designed for those needing a few hours away from their normal routine, from 10.00 -2.00pm. Family members and caregivers are also welcome.

In our homely environment we offer:

• Home cooked morning tea and lunch,
• The choice of a recreational activity or therapy
• Companionship and laughter

Counselling Services at dove house

There are times we all have stress in our lives ..... sometimes more, sometimes less.

We know:
- Living with illness, whether it is you or your loved one, is very stressful.
- Facing our own mortality is something most of us avoid.
- Loss through death is at the top of the Stress Scale.

While we can not always control what life presents to us.....
we do have the capacity to control how we choose to respond to life ............ at times, we need some help to do that.

Choosing to be heard, seen and understood requires having some caring and compassionate person(s) in our lives ........ family, friends, cousellor.

To make constructive choices in our lives often requires new information or tools.

dove house has counsellors whose confidential services are available to all our patients, their family members and/or carers, at no cost.

Knowing that there are choices available helps reduce stress. To arrange to speak to a counsellor or attend a life-skills Thursday workshop, call 575 4555.

• Professor Lynne Ferguson – we are very fortunate that Lynne can speak to us about dietary supplements. Lynne has considerable knowledge on beneficial nutrition. She can also discuss research being carried out in this area.

• Linda Davidson is a counsellor at dove house. This is a series of workshops to assist with communicating.

• Mike Silk is a chemist in St Heliers. This session last year proved very popular and many queries were answered or clarified.

• Meg Logan – The way we breathe affects our bodies in many ways. Meg Logan is the dove house aromatherapist. She will demonstrate ways to help your breathing. She will also teach how to use the breath in meditation.

• Professor Bruce Baguley from Auckland Cancer Research Centre, University of Auckland has initiated and overseen a program of cancer research that focuses on the development of new anticancer drugs.

• Madelene Moon - This series of workshops is around ways to support ourselves by learning how to reduce anxiety and how anxiety affects us. It will help to increase awareness about our reactions to our experiences and how these reactions can reduce or increase anxiety.

• Denise Burgess – is a specialist nurse with the Pain Team at Auckland Hospital. She will host a Question and Answer session, discussing various pain regimes and talking about effects and side effects of pain medication.

• Meg Logan is the aromatherapist at dove house. Meg will talk about aromatherapy oils and their uses. Her second workshop will teach some massage techniques that are easy to use in the home.

• Madelene Moon - Meditation is not about sitting cross legged on top of the mountain. It can be in every action in our lives and become incorporated into our daily living. This course teaches ways to do this.

• Madelene Moon - We often see challenges in a negative way. However, often after we have come through a challenge – no matter what it is- we begin to see the “blessings” that have come to us. This course teaches us the tools to help us as we face life’s challenges.

Is a unit within St Andrews Hospital, supported by Eastern Bays Hospice.

It provides a cosy and peaceful environment for those no longer able to be cared for at home and support for family who are facing a challenging time.

• 24hr care with a palliative focus
• Respite care or longer term care
• 1 Health Care Assistant to 3 patients 24/7
• Supervised by Registered Nurse
• Specialist Palliative Care advice available through Mercy Hospice
• 3 bedrooms each with own ensuite
• Family/patient lounge
   

TIPS FROM FARAH, OUR BEAUTY THERAPIST:

Care of Hands and Feet:

1. Exfoliate your hands and feet once a week
2. Put hand cream on after every washing
3. Use body lotion after every shower
4. Bedtime is the best time to nourish your hands and feet

Always have a bottle of body lotion and nail or cuticle oil handy. You could make your own using Farah's Grannies recipe:

2 parts glycerine to 1 part squeezed lemon juice

Mix them in a flap top bottle or container. Shake well each time before use and use on hands and nails each night before bed. It is also great for cracked heels, wind burnt lips and elbows.

You will be amazed with the results!