Our Palliative Care approach is rooted in compassion and dignity, focusing on improving the quality of life for patients and families facing the challenges of serious illness. We aim to prevent and relieve suffering through comprehensive support that addresses physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs.
Services are delivered directly within the community and include specialised nursing care for pain and symptom management, as well as psychosocial support to ease emotional, spiritual, and social distress. Beyond the patient’s journey, we continue to walk alongside families by offering bereavement support after the loss of a loved one.
Through this holistic approach, we ensure that care extends beyond treatment—bringing comfort, respect, and strength to both patients and their families.
The word “palliative” originates from the Latin term pallium, meaning “a cloak.” This reflects the essence of palliative care, which is often described as a “cloak of total care”—embracing patients and families with comprehensive support. Its primary aim is to provide comfort, dignity, and holistic care, ensuring that no aspect of well-being is overlooked.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Palliative Care as an approach that enhances the quality of life for patients and their families facing the challenges of life-threatening illness. This is achieved through the prevention and relief of suffering, early identification, and the comprehensive assessment and treatment of pain and other concerns—whether physical, psychosocial, or spiritual.
At Tygerberg Hospice, palliative care is delivered through a multi-disciplinary team approach, working closely with each patient’s doctor to provide additional layers of support. The focus is always on the needs of the patient rather than the prognosis, ensuring that care prioritises both the patient’s well-being and the support of their family.
We provide specialized support for individuals living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver conditions, lung disease, neurological disorders, dementia, and frailty.
Our team provides care and support to patients and their families across both the public and private sectors, ensuring access to quality services throughout the Northern, Tygerberg, and Eastern Sub-Structures.
At Tygerberg Hospice, we warmly invite you to make use of our services. Our professional team is here to walk alongside you, offering compassionate care that allows your loved one to receive the support they need while giving you the gift of peace of mind.
Psychosocial Care
Support for families and caregivers, including bereavement counselling, is an essential part of hospice and palliative care. We recognise that many families need guidance, preparation, and reassurance to feel confident and supported in their caregiving roles.
Living with or caring for someone with a life-limiting illness or experiencing trauma can affect every aspect of life—physical, emotional, mental, psychological, and spiritual. Our psychosocial care services are designed to walk alongside patients and families during these difficult times.
Through counselling, bereavement support, education, spiritual care, support groups, and other services, we help reduce stressors and strengthen resilience. These services are provided by a dedicated team of registered counsellors, social workers, nurses, and trained volunteers, who together ensure that no one has to face the journey alone.
Counselling and Social Support
Counselling and social support play a vital role in helping patients and their carers cope more effectively at every stage of illness, thereby enhancing overall quality of life. With the right support systems in place, individuals are less likely to develop serious mental health challenges. Because each person is unique, it is essential to adopt a personalised approach that takes into account their psychological and social environment, as well as how these factors impact mental wellness and daily functioning.
At Tygerberg Hospice, we also provide dedicated bereavement care to families grieving the loss of a loved one. Bereavement support is a cornerstone of hospice care. Our qualified bereavement counsellors and trained volunteers walk alongside families as they navigate the stages of grief, offering guidance, compassion, and practical support. This care continues for up to 13 months, ensuring families are not left alone in their journey of healing and adjustment.
We remain deeply committed to the psychological and emotional well-being of patients and families. This includes nurturing self-esteem, supporting insight into illness, and creating an environment that prioritises both physical comfort and mental well-being. At every step, the needs of the patient come first, with care that honours dignity, resilience, and hope.
Contact Details:
Tel: 021 946 2460
Palliative Care enquiries and referral forms should be submitted to: pcreferrals@tygerberghospice.org
Physical Address:
8 Sarel Cilliers Street
Bellville
7530