Naomi House

 

Naomi House provides care for children with a life-threatening or life limiting condition and their families

Who uses Naomi House?

Children up to the age of 19 whose condition means that they will probably die before they reach adulthood. Other children may be so profoundly handicapped that their life expectancy is limited.

Children and families are welcomed irrespective of race or religious beliefs.

The burden of caring for a sick child can be immense. In the majority of cases the parents have to become the experts, attending to their child's condition 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their contact with the disease is constant and extra help is often not available. The simple things in life become impossible, like a full nights sleep or to just sit and have a cup of tea together.

The brothers and sisters also share the burden, particularly as so much attention has to be focused on their ill sibling. Often they become depressed and need someone to talk to. They can experience difficulties at school and at play, and they can become obsessed with fears surrounding their own mortality.

In time, the parents and family have to cope with their child's death. The impact this can have is enormous as they suddenly go from a long term regime of intensive 24 hour nursing, for 365 days a year, to one where there is a huge void.

For the vast majority, breaking the intense personal bond between parent and child, brother and sister, creates a vacuum in daily life. A vacuum, which in itself, requires considerable attention.

These are all times when a children's respite care hospice can help and it is for these children and families that Naomi House exists.

Naomi House is located near Winchester, Hampshire in the U.K. This facility provides much needed care and support to 200 families from an area spanning seven counties in the central southern region including Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight.

It also provides a home-from-home environment which offers flexible, individual care for the entire family. The level and nature of care is driven by the parent's wishes.

While many children will die at home with their families, the children's hospice will continue to support the family through the bereavement period for as long as is necessary.

Click on the house to visit the Naomi House WebSite.