“It’s actually about living”

When Catherine first thought about hospice care, like many people, she associated it with the end of life.

She wasn’t quite sure what to expect when she first came to Galway Hospice. Today, coming to Day Care is something she looks forward to every week.

“I love coming here. I look forward to Thursdays. It’s fantastic.”

In this video, Catherine shares her experience of Galway Hospice and some of the things that have made a difference to her, from meeting other people in similar situations and spending time in the art room to enjoying aromatherapy and complementary therapies.

For Catherine, these experiences are about much more than activities or treatments. They are about connection, relaxation, enjoyment and continuing to do things that make her feel good.

Her experience also changed what the word ‘hospice’ meant to

her.

“What I’d like to change in people’s minds is when you say hospice and people think end of life, no, it’s actually about living.”

At Galway Hospice, palliative care is about supporting people living with life-limiting illness to live as well as possible, with comfort, dignity and care centred around what matters to each individual.

Watch Catherine’s story to hear, in her own words, what Galway Hospice means to her.

We are very grateful to Catherine for sharing her experience and helping others understand more about what hospice and palliative care can really mean.