"A lot of people don't know what to do when their loved one is suddenly in a wheelchair, or needs to take a range of new medicines that could have side effects," Otago Community Hospice Kowhai Programme co-ordinator Dr Jennifer Angelo said.
In the past, the Otago Community Hospice had provided superior care for people with terminal illnesses, but little for their family carers.
But Dr Angelo said the hospice was now focusing its attention on the carers of people with terminal illnesses by developing a six-week programme - the Kowhai Programme - which she hoped would provide carers with skills and education about how to look after loved ones during their last stages of life.
"I hope the programme will include training on things like showering their loved ones, taking them to the toilet, organising their medications, making simple nutritious meals, moving them from bed to chair, and changing sheets with a person still in the bed."
The programme would also educate carers on how to take care of themselves spiritually, physically and mentally, she said.
"It can be very overwhelming for them."
"Like the patients, carers go through denial. They bargain, they try to find a way out. And then they come to acceptance and work out what they need to do to get through each day."
With 35 years experience in occupational therapy, Dr Angelo has taught at three universities in the United States.
She came to New Zealand when her husband, Professor Hank Weiss was appointed director of the Injury Prevention Research Unit at the University of Otago in January this year.
"I came to New Zealand with him and reinvented myself.
"Hospice is new to me, but I have skills in putting together new and innovative programmes."
Dr Angelo expected the programme would be in place by December.
