ComaCARE - Coma patients are more than a shell
A pioneer of person-centred care for coma patients.
Brain injury resulting in comas are always shocking. Although the best medical procedures attend to the immediate physical needs of the coma patients, family and friends are often at a loss in knowing how to support their loved ones further. Coma patients also deserve the same care and attention as any other human being. At ComaCARE we believe that coma patients have the same human rights as everyone else in South Africa. That is why we are concerned with coma care and the family members of those affected by comas.
ComaCARE is a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) made up of motivated individuals; including health professionals, family members and care givers, who wish to improve and enhance the level of coma care in our society. ComaCARE strongly believes that those in comatose states are in meaningful life processes.
We help coma patients, their family members and care givers understand the coma and get the help they need at this very difficult time. Our aim lies in building caring partnerships between medical and professional staff, care givers, family members and patients where everyone plays a role in the patient’s recovery or dying process. ComaCARE also encourages everyone involved with a patient’s care to take full responsibility for their role and understand that resources and time are often limited.
ComaCARE uses medical, psychological and legal expertise from a governing Board and partnerships, yet most of our work is conducted through the services of lay care givers.
ComaCARE offers a number of functions that are aimed to help patients in coma:
- A free bedside care service for coma patients in public hospitals where we have trained lay counsellors.
- A direct counseling service for family members.
- A telephone and email counseling service when we cannot travel to the patient.
- Consultations with coma patients and family members in private hospitals and homes for which we charge a fee.
- Training of medical staff and care givers in coma communication methods.
For more information see our ComaCARE video: Introducing ComaCARE
