Paula Plaskow, Jewish Care end of life & palliative care lead (Photo: Jewish Care)[Missing Credit]
Plaskow added that their partnerships with hospices across London and the southeast were vital in this effort, and that a good end of life experience also helped relatives grieve well afterwards, “in the knowledge that the person they loved was cared for and their wishes were honoured”.
North London Hospice works with Jewish Care, supporting people in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. It also provides an advice line for those living in north central London.
Wolfie Smith, director of patient services at the hospice, said: “North London Hospice is proud to work with Jewish Care and all our partners in the Jewish community and aims to provide the best of life at the end of life, for everyone. What this means is often a very personal thing for the individual however. We recognise that it is more than just our physical needs when we are living with a life-limiting condition.”
North London Hospice’s specialist palliative care teams support people at home, in care homes or in their hospice inpatient unit. Dr Sam Edward, medical director and a consultant in palliative medicine at the hospice, said: “We ask not: ‘What is the matter?’ but: ‘What matters to you?’ It is in this spirit that we provide support for our patients, tailored to their own religious or spiritual needs across our community.”
Jewish Care is encouraging people to have an advanced care plan. This is a document that can be accessed online via the Jewish Care website and which outlines ways in which future care, treatment choices and preferences can be discussed with chosen trusted people. Questions include where someone would like to be cared for, whom they would like with them and if there is any music they would like played or prayers recited at the end of their life.
You can also find out more about how to have conversations surrounding end of life by visiting www.jewishcare.org/endoflife