Death is a topic often avoided in conversation, but the Rotorua Community Hospice's first open day on Saturday encouraged free-flowing conversation about dying comfortably.
The facility, which is less than a year old, was opened to the public for tours throughout the day.
Visitors even enjoyed a demonstration dance from the Hospice's annual fundraising event, Harcourts Dancing with the Stars.
Hospice hosts day stays and visits but does not have full-time inpatients. Staff also do home visits, and are available 24/7.
There is a private clinic room at the hospice where nurses can administer care.
A palliative care specialist from the Waikato District Health Board also works out of the room once a month.
The Rotorua Hospice ready for open day. Photo / Stephen Parker
The building includes consultation rooms, an education room to teach general nurses and caregivers about the hospice philosophy, staff offices, equipment storage and equipment-cleaning facilities.
Avis Spender, 84, was one of many who made the most of the visiting opportunity.
She said that when her time came, she would definitely make the most of hospice's free services.
"It is bad enough being sick but if you get support like this, you can take advice and you would not feel so alone," she said.
She was first introduced to hospice patients "years ago" when she was president of the Westbrook Garden Society.
"We would host a luncheon for them. Twice a year we supplied food and everyone socialised."
Spender said the new hospice facility was a "must have" for Rotorua.
"Especially for our age group. You can't just go putting your head in the sand."
She pointed to scars from skin cancers on her arms and said: "You never know when these things are going to become more."
Pat de Carteret, the organiser of the non-denominational Hospice Prayer Group, also took part in the open day.
The group of five to 10 members meets on the first and third Mondays of each month to "spend time in quiet thought and prayer" for the service and the patients.
"[Hospice] is offering support and help and it is a good centre for the nurses to be based in. If you think back to the days of the small office at the back of QE Health, it has come along since then."
Clinical manager Sue Taylor said Rotorua Hospice had about 18 staff, including 11 nurses, three healthcare assistants, a social worker, and administrators.
Half of the service's funding comes from the District Health Board and the rest is from donors and fundraising.
Despite the taboo, Taylor said palliative care was something we should all talk about.
"It is really helpful for families to know exactly what their loved ones want ... For the person with a life-limiting illness to explain their needs, and have an advanced care plan in place while the opportunity is there. Decisions on behalf of people can be quite stressful for all involved."
