By Margaret Maccoll
Katie Rose Cottage hospice opened this week for day respite guests after further modifications were completed, and plans are underway for round-the-clock care for the terminally ill later this year.
Registered nurse Claire Perry is now leading the caring team at the hospice after a 20-year career in palliative care on the Sunshine Coast and having previously volunteered with Katie Rose Cottage.
“I still feel passionately about it,” she said.
“If you have somone in their last weeks of life I feel very strongly this service should be available to them.”
Claire said the Katie Rose Cottage had “a beautiful environment” and having been built from the generosity of so many in the region it had a lovely feel that was “so community-owned”.
Claire said the need for Katie Rose Cottage was evident when you considered the nearest alternative palliative care beds were at hospitals at Caloundra and Gympie.
Katie Rose Cottage co-director Carol Raye said the respite service allowed guests to become familiar with the cottage, the staff and the care that is available and gives carers some time for themselves.
Because of the expansion of services, Katie Rose Cottage is calling for people to volunteer as personal and general carers with full training provided.
The next training course will be one day a week for four weeks in May. For more information email Jane Woodrow at janew@katierosecottage.org.au or call the hospice on 5471 1468.
