Buddhist teacher Ven. Lama Zopa Rinpoche inspired a spiritual motivation for the founding of Karuna Hospice Services in 1992. As an activity of the international Buddhist organisation Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) under the spiritual direction of Rinpoche, Karuna was established to help remove the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering people experience as they face death.
Since then Karuna has enhanced the quality of life of its terminally ill clients by providing them with specialist palliative nursing care in the familiar and comfortable environment of their own homes. Trained volunteer respite carers enable those caring for Karuna clients to take breaks.
Surveys of client families have revealed overwhelming satisfaction with the Karuna model of care and the compassion and dedication of its staff. Feedback shows that once the client is comfortable and free from physical pain, other practical, emotional and spiritual issues arise, such as unresolved family issues, fears of not being able to cope, or worry about the funeral. Karuna responds by offering additional services such as family counselling, spiritual care, funeral planning, and bereavement care.
Under the sound financial governance of its Board of Directors, Karuna has maintained its commitment to provide `Hospice at Home’ palliative care, free of charge to its clients. Support from Queensland Health, which provides 60% of its operating costs, has been vital in maintaining the service. Karuna receives the remainder of its funding from client families, community support, service clubs, businesses and Trusts.
In 1996, the Karuna Hospice model was extended to more people with the establishment of Cittamani on the Sunshine Coast, and in 1999 the establishment of Caboolture/Redcliffe regional office.
As a member of the Centre for Palliative Care Research and Education, Karuna exchanges knowledge and ideas with other leading palliative care providers in Queensland. Community outreach includes education in the fields of death, dying and bereavement to individuals and professional and community groups.
