Privilege to care

By Paul Pickering
IT MAY come as a shock to some that Helen Pike – who has been caring for people with terminal and life-threatening illnesses for 17 years – describes her work as both a passion and a privilege.
Ms Pike herself admits that most people would prefer to remain ignorant about the services available to those who are approaching the end of their life’s journey.
However, in a bid to provide professional information and resources for families facing such a predicament, Ms Pike – as program director of Fernlea House – has organised a series of free interactive sessions to be held in Emerald in the coming months.
The Palliative Care and You program will explore a range of issues that arise for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses, including sessions entitled Wills, Power of Attorney and Guardianship, Grief, Loss and Spirituality and Resources Available for Palliative Care.
Having worked at Fernlea House since the day the hospice facility opened in 2005, Ms Pike is well aware of the difficulties associated with spreading the message of palliative care.
“Most people don’t know – or want to know – about palliative care until they have to,” she explained last week.
“People are obviously frightened by death and the thought of dying.
“The sessions are about trying to support people and their families so that they can improve the last days of their life’s journey towards death.”
The Palliative Care and You series – made possible by a Community Development Grant from the Shire of Yarra Ranges – follows on from the recent roll-out of the Ferns outreach program in which 13 trained volunteers have been providing home care for clients who are unable to attend the day hospice. While Ms Pike says she is astounded by the commitment of the 47 volunteers that regularly participate in the Fernlea House program, she notes that the rewards of the work are overwhelming.
“You meet some amazing people and hear some incredible stories,” she said.
“There’s a misconception that it’s all doom and gloom, because in reality it’s a place full of laughter and fun.”
The introductory session in the Palliative Care and You series will be held at Emerald Evergreen Senior Citizens Club on Sunday, 9 September from 2pm-4pm.
The following three sessions will be held in October and November.
The series will be repeated at venues in Ferntree Gully and Lilydale next year.
For more information, call Fernlea House on 5968 3895.