After being admitted to the Bedded Unit at North Devon Hospice, Jenny's grannie Brenda was able to use the hospice's existing cuddle bed to share moments of closeness with her family in her final days.
Lovingly described as the matriarch of her family, Brenda Harper was cherished by everyone around her, including her granddaughter Jenny. So when she was suddenly diagnosed with terminal cancer in July last year, the family were beyond devastated. However, having the chance to use the existing cuddle bed at North Devon Hospice meant they could share special moments of closeness with Brenda at a time when it mattered most.
A Cuddle Bed is a specialist clinical bed, which has state-of-the-art features to help keep patients comfortable towards the end of life. Crucially, unlike any other clinical bed, a Cuddle Bed can extend to double the width, which allows loved ones to share the bed and retain that closeness and sense of normality, even when the rest of the world is shaken.
“Grannie hadn’t been feeling well, so we’d encouraged her to get checked out,” said Jenny. “After spending time in hospital for various scans, we found out she had cancer and were told she only had three weeks left – the most heartbreaking news to hear. But Grannie was so brave upon receiving this diagnosis; when we were able to get her a place on the hospice’s Bedded Unit, we were so relieved and knew she’d be taken care of.”
After arriving at North Devon Hospice, Brenda quickly settled in and was beautifully cared for by hospice nurses, who made sure she was free from pain, relaxed, and comfortable straight away. “Not only was the medical care from staff at the hospice just incredible but the time and effort they spent making Grannie feel at home with so many little touches made all the difference,” added Jenny. “When we went into her room, they’d placed fresh flowers from the hospice gardens on the window sill; the next day, one of the nurses was sat by her bedside reading to her when we came to visit. It was truly wonderful.”
Upon arrival, the family were also asked if they’d like to be the first to use the new cuddle bed to be closer to her and enjoy some precious cuddles together as she approached the end of her life.
“I remember Grannie having lots of room and seeming so relaxed and comfortable on the bed, which was much bigger than a standard hospital bed,” said Jenny. “One day, my sister just put her arms around her to let her know she was there. I can’t tell you how special this was and what it meant to us as a family. I think everyone deserves the chance to have this at the end of their life.”
Brenda’s daughter Karen also shared how special it was for her and granddaughter Samantha to be close to Brenda throughout this time. “We were with Mum every single day when she was at the hospice and even stayed with her the night before she passed away,” said Karen. “The nurses were amazing and we will be forever grateful for the care and compassion given to Mum and all our family including the use of the cuddle bed.”
To help more families like Brenda’s enjoy precious cuddles at the hospice and in their own homes, visit northdevonhospice.org.uk/cuddle today to make a donation today.
