Many people with dementia are missing out on the care they deserve. Garden House Hospice Care are determined to change that.
June had lived with Lewy Body dementia for five years before her health started to worsen. Her daughter, Jules, knew her mum wanted to die at home, but the thought of transferring from her Care Home in Stevenage, overwhelmed her. Fortunately, Jules contacted the Hospice’s Admiral Nurse, Lucy Cosgrove.
“She was wonderful. she explained what we needed to do, what support was available and she kept in touch daily while co-ordinating the process of getting mum home.”
As well as practical support, Lucy arranged for the Hospice at Home team to care for June. Jules said they treated her mum with dignity and patience, but also, described how relaxed she felt when they were there:
“They reassured me and supported me too. They sat with mum so I could sleep. The set up was perfect and they brought so much to her final days.”
“My mum had the best possible care, so I know what a difference improving access for more people could make. It only happened for mum thanks to Lucy linking us to the incredible Community Services Team.”
Following June’s death, Lucy has continued to support Jules and her dad, who also has dementia. She guided Jules in how to talk to her dad about his loss.
“He didn’t understand what was happening because of his dementia,” said Jules. “So Lucy’s knowledge has been invaluable.”
Garden House’s new 10-year strategy, ‘Every Person Matters’, works closely with carers and family members of patients and service users to achieve this, understanding that it can be daunting for everyone when someone close is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
Lucy Cosgrove, Admiral Nurse at Garden House Hospice Care, runs the Healthy Memory Café and Dementia Carer’s Training. She adds:
“Dementia is not always recognised as a terminal illness and is misunderstood by many. It is important that people with dementia and their carers can access hospice services – the Admiral Nurse can support and alleviate distress at what can be a challenging time and enable people with dementia and their carers to feel supported at the end of life. The aim is to ensure that people living with dementia and their families in North Hertfordshire have the best possible care at the end of their life.“We run the Healthy Memory Café for those living with dementia and their carer to attend together to get advice in a safe and relaxed environment, and break their normal shared routine. The training takes place at the same time as the café so carers can be reassured their loved one will be well looked after while they attend.
“It is so important that everyone has access to hospice services – we can support and alleviate distress at what can be a challenging time. If the families and carers of the person living with dementia aren’t well, they can’t care for their loved one, so supporting them and looking after their wellbeing is equally important.”
Lucy’s role as a specialist nurse, and her close working with Care Homes across North Hertfordshire, means she introduces people to the Hospice’s services who may typically miss out. With one of the key goals of the charity’s new 10-year strategy being to open our doors to more people locally, her role is pivotal.
In 2024/25 there was a 16% increase in referrals for Garden House’s Admiral Nurse. Lucy completed 1,089 interventions – this includes giving specialist support to carers, planning care with patients and their loved ones, supporting people with education, anxiety management or coping mechanisms, and hosting the Healthy Memory Café. 315 people also completed dementia training sessions.
There is a growing need for dementia care. You can support Lucy, and her colleagues, to continue this work by donating through Garden House’s summer appeal:
- £22 would fund an hour of care on the Inpatient Unit for someone with frailty who has been transferred following a stay in hospital
- £34 could pay for an hour of Lucy’s work
- £50 could fund a seated exercise session at our Wellbeing Hub, which is an important way for us to meet people who may benefit from our other services.
Visit: www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/summer-appeal to find out more and donate.
Thank you!
