As Madrugada completes its second year , the hard work and determination shown by our members and volunteers is being noticed and we have the right to feel pleased with our progress. The Board of Directors would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and dedication and assure you that with your help we will make the changes necessary to accomplish our aims and objectives.
We’ve been very active during our short existence establishing a small but effective community service which delivers ‘end of life palliative care’ to people who prefer to spend their remaining days at home. This service is currently offered on a self referral basis and is open to anyone suffering from a life limiting illness and living within the Lagos and Portimão area.
Since October 2010 we have had the privilege of assisting nine ‘end of life’ patients. As our fundraising capabilities improve, our service will develop and spread across the Algarve. We have been helping people in many other ways. We try to be of assistance to everyone who calls on us and the chart shows the help we have been able to deliver.
We are fortunate to have a bank of volunteers in excess of 65 and we are always seeking new volunteers to work in various capacities ranging from assisting in our charity shops, deliveries, fund raising and working with our clinical team by providing complementary therapies, companion work, administrative skills, reception duties and transporting clients. All these people together with our clinical team of experts and bank of dedicated nurses and health care workers, help provide our management team with the drive necessary to meet the challenges of providing a hospice service in the Algarve. Our membership is reaching 70 and we are keen to encourage anyone wishing to support us to join as a member at an annual fee of €40. Our supporter’s database numbers 1500 and is growing fast.
For Madrugada, the relief of total pain, including physical, emotional and spiritual elements is key to providing a service which enables patients to concentrate on life with dignity. Our service is discreet, respecting the privacy of patients and their families. Each care plan is designed to meet the needs of the patient and their family with active involvement of family members being encouraged as and when appropriate. Support continues for the family in the form of Bereavement Counselling which along with other psychological support services, is offered free of charge to anyone affected by a life threatening illness.