Hospice Care Week: Rosemary's story

Diagnosed with multiple health conditions, including heart failure, cancer, asthma, fibromyalgia, and diabetes, Rosemary Stephenson was referred to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice for support in 2024.

“I’ve had six heart attacks, a stroke, and two cancer diagnoses. It was my heart failure nurse who recommended that I go to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice. She said to me at the time, ‘I think you will get a lot out of it, and I think you will also put a lot into it,'” shares Rosemary.

Rosemary was initially referred to the Living Well Programme, which covers topics such as fatigue, exercise and activity, planning for the future, seated exercises, Tai Chi and an introduction to mindfulness.

Since then, Rosemary has been regularly attending the hospice’s day therapy services for relaxing activities like sound baths – a meditative practice that immerses participants in the soothing sound waves and vibrations of various instruments like singing bowls, gongs, and chimes.

She also attends group exercise sessions, which are run independently by the rehab team.

“It’s been so good,” she said. “After the sound bath, it’s hard to wake yourself up when you have been so relaxed. It’s the first time I can remember not having any pain in my legs. It felt like my legs were floating and I couldn’t even feel the footrest under them.”

Rosemary also has had support at home, visits from a complementary therapist, and guidance from the wellbeing team, helping her to come to terms with how her life has changed.

Bridget Robinson, the Community Day Services Clinical Team Lead at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, shares how Rosemary’s story is the perfect illustration to challenge the misconception that hospice care is only for people in the final days of their lives.

Our Community Day Service sessions are for anyone living with a life-limiting condition who wants to feel more confident, connected, and in control.

“We run three days a week, offering everything from fatigue management and seated exercise to creative wellbeing and life story sessions. It’s about early support, not just final stages. When people join us soon after diagnosis, we often see a real shift in physical wellbeing, emotional resilience, and practical planning.

“Referrals come through healthcare professionals, but families are always welcome to call us directly with questions. Once people engage, they tend to stay because the support is layered, responsive and genuinely life-enhancing.”

Rosemary adds that the hospice is enabling her to live the best life that she can. She added, “The GP said they couldn’t do any more to help me. They said go home, stay in and don’t go out, but I don’t want to just stay at home – that’s why I’ve got a mobility scooter.

I used to be able to help in the garden and take my dog for a walk. There are a lot of things I would like to be able to do. I don’t want to be a burden, and Sue Ryder doesn’t treat me like that.

“The hospice team is the most fantastic, caring, and understanding people. If it had not been for them, I don’t think I would still be here. They have really kept me going. They listen to me. They even sent a volunteer driver to collect me when I couldn’t get to the gym class last month. The volunteers are the heart of the hospice. Absolutely amazing people.”