The Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand provides palliative care to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses. The hospice covers the Midrand, Alberton, Soweto, Alexandra and the greater Johannesburg areas.

Established in 1979, the hospice provides a service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to patients and their families.

Palliative care is the treatment of the symptoms of an illness, not of the cause. The hospice helps to alleviate the symptoms that might otherwise disable our patients. Palliative care ensures that our patients can live as close to normal life as possible.
Metrofile has supported the running of the hospice by contributing R6527 to date, incorporating 1833 beneficiaries per month.

The following is a detailed breakdown of the hospice's services:

• General Inpatient Services – Qualified doctors work with the patient's physician and are responsible for the medical component of our programme
• Outpatient Services – ?????
• Nursing services – Our registered nurses are also certified in hospice and palliative care
• Paediatric Program – A program which focuses on the needs of the entire family when a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition
• Social Workers – Provides supportive counselling to help cope with the emotional, social and financial stresses resulting from the illness and impending loss
• Spiritual Care – Our programs are not intended to replace your relationship with your local community of faith. We provide referrals for local, religious or spiritual groups.
• Volunteers – Offer assistance with the activities of daily living and friendly support, companionship and encouragement to patients and family members
• Bereavement – Support to family members after the loss of a loved one. Assistance is given through counselling, volunteers visits, educational materials and support groups. Bereavement support is available 12 months following a death. Programs are also open to the public.
• Loan equipment – From pressure relieving equipment, to commodes and wheelchairs, etc.
• Short Term Respite Care – Short term inpatient care provided to relieve the family member/s caring for a terminally ill relative.

The hospice strives to ensure quality of life for all its patients, promoting physical and psychosocial well-being for people with active, progressive and advanced diseases where the prognosis is limited. The majority of patients taken into the home suffer from HIV/Aids, Cancer, progressive neurological disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage cardiac, renal, respiratory, hepatic disorders, motor neuron disease, dementia, alzeimer's and chronic disorders.

Contact

Mrs Ella Danilowitz
Tel: (011) 483 9100
Email: samandella@hospicewitwatersrand.org.za
Website: www.hospicewitwatersrand.org.za

50 2nd Avenue,
Houghton,
Johannesburg