Meet Wynne

Linda lifted the fear.

Winifred Mary Plocka (Wynne) died at the age of 101, surrounded by her family.

This is the story of how, with the support of Prospect Hospice, her family managed to maintain round-the-clock care.

When Wynne became ill, her four surviving sons shared her of care to keep her within her home, where she’d lived for 68, according to her wishes. As any caregiver knows, this is both physically and emotionally exhausting. Wynne’s GP contacted Prospect Hospice, who then offered support to her, and her sons.

After 18 days, lack of sleep, work pressures, and other family commitments were becoming a major challenge. When Prospect offered to care for Wynne overnight it was huge relief for the family. Even more valuable was the advice and reassurance from Linda of the Prospect team.

One morning after caring for Wynne overnight, Linda explained to her sons what to expect in the final weeks of their mother’s life.  This was done with compassion and deep insight. She described how their mother’s body was preparing for death, why she was not eating or drinking, and assured them that Wynne was not in pain, or distress, and that there was nothing to fear.

Her son’s felt as if a weight was lifted from their shoulders and that they could say their goodbyes.

One son said, “I am profoundly grateful to Linda and all at Prospect Hospice. They provided the support when we were buckling under the strain. Linda lifted the fear, showed us how to care for our mother in her last days, and reassured us that she was not suffering.”