Carer Skills Course

The Carer Skills programme is designed to support and develop skills of family members and friends (also called informal carers) to better look after loved ones who are on their end-of-life journey.

The Carer Skills programme is a Hospice South Canterbury initiative with a range of local guest speakers presenting and informing at each session.

The programme is six sessions on consecutive Wednesdays 1pm – 3pm.

There is no charge to attend.

First Week

Looking at the bigger picture of supports and services available, “navigating” the health system. Advance Care Planning, legal and financial considerations. Speakers may include a Social Worker from SCDHB, home based Needs Assessment worker from SCDHB, and Kaiwhakahaere from Arowhenua Whānau Services.

Further sessions include (They may not be in this order due to speaker availability):

Caring for your loved one at home. Learning about mobility needs and the equipment to assist. How to manage fatigue and breathlessness. Speakers include Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapists from SCDHB. A nurse from Hospice will speak about practical aspects of assisting with feeding, washing and toileting your loved ones.
Food and nutrition ideas and hot tips by SCDHB Community Dietitian and our Hospice Cook.
Managing medications explained by a Clinical Pharmacist. A Hospice nurse will speak about managing confusion, agitation and restlessness.
“What happens when someone is dying”, a talk given by our local palliative care specialist doctor. “What is palliative care in the community” (including what to do if someone dies at home) is discussed by a community palliative care nurse specialist. “Services your hospice offers” concludes this session.
“Self-care, carer fatigue and more”, looks at managing emotional aspects of caring for another – stress, anxiety, holistic wellbeing, sleep & relaxation are explored with Hospice Family Support personnel.

Where do I go?

The sessions will be run from Hospice Community Cottage
at Hospice South Canterbury,
70 Orbell Street,
Timaru.
(next to the Hospice Shop, 68 Orbell Street)

Get Directions