This week marks World Autism Awareness Week and we would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness of peoples understanding of Autism, and also highlight that we as an organisation provide end of life care and bereavement support to people with Autism and their families.
World Autism Awareness Week is a week of activities organised by the National Autistic Society (NAS). Its aim is to improve people’s understanding of autism and help make the world friendlier to those who are affected by it.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. One in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
The NAS have produced a video explaining, ‘What is Autism?’ which you can watch by clicking HERE
Autistic people face huge barriers and discrimination in the workplace and society as a whole. This includes access to fair and equitable health care.
Hospice at Home West Cumbria will ensure that a person is involved in decisions about their care. For autistic people who have differing communication preferences and ways of processing information, changes to how we present information and choices to them can have a significant effect on their capacity to make decisions about their care.
We understand that consistency of support and strong partnership working between health and social care teams is essential. We will work closely with social care staff and healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care for the person with an illness from which they may die.
Hospice at Home West Cumbria has developed Easy Read information covering the care and support we can offer as well as how to access support. You can find this on the Easy Read section of our website HERE
If you, or a family member has autism, please contact Hospice at Home West Cumbria for more information on palliative, end of life and bereavement care, you can email info@hhwc.org.uk or call 01900 705200.
