Living Waters Phuket – Monthly Update September 2022

Summary

‘You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully but also to live until you die.

Dame Cicely Saunders, nurse, physician and writer, and founder of the modern-day hospice movement (1918 – 2005).

September saw the death and State Funeral of the world’s second longest reigning monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years, succeeding to the British throne on 6th February 1952, age 25. Historically, the world’s longest reigning monarch was French King, Louis XIV, who reigned for 72 years from age 4.

In light of Queen Elizabeth’s death, it is perhaps fitting that this month Living Waters Phuket Foundation (LWPF) has focussed on a topic many shy away from. Death comes eventually to every living being and is something still regarded as somewhat taboo in many cultures.

It is probably fair to say that in considering our own death we hope it will be quick, painless, and with dignity and usually at home surrounded by our loved ones. However, sadly for many this is not the case. Care of the dying or end-of-life care as it is now known is a highly specialized branch of medicine and nursing care.

There have been considerable advances in palliative care and the Hospice movement is now widely known and accepted. However, even in the most advanced of countries, end-of-life care is not given the funding it requires. Access is often ‘luck of the draw’ and not available to all who need it.

Recognizing the need for palliative care assistance, LWPF looked to see how they could make a difference. Once again partnering with the Red Cross with whom LWPF have already provided wheelchairs to those with mobility issues, the next logical step was determined to be the provision of mobile hospital beds. These would benefit those, mostly but not always the elderly, who are unable to access hospice care but can no longer be cared for in the hospital. These individuals often come from poorer homes where they may not have a bed to sleep in.

Even with a bed, apart from the bedridden individual’s discomfort, carers, usually family or friends, have a physical as well as mentally challenging time caring for them. A bed that can be raised, lowered and adjusted, and often with the addition of a pressure mattress can make a huge difference to the wellbeing of both the occupant and their carers.

Phuket has become the trial Province for the provision of these mobile hospital beds and to date 83 have been supplied, with 8 going to Cherngtalay in the last week. Already allocated, these 8 beds, like all the others, come with nursing care. They are on loan for as long as they are needed, affording a

level of care previously unavailable. Once the success of the Phuket trial has been assessed, it is planned to start a Thailand-wide initiative by rolling out 50 beds per province.

‘The end of life deserves as much beauty, care, and respect as the beginning.– Anonymous