A hospice drew on the language skills of one of its staff to help a patient in need.

Mary Haque, 84, from Saltdean, is originally from Spain and was referred to the Martlets Hospice for respite care earlier this year after her dementia worsened.

Her condition means she has lost the ability to speak English so she was matched with hospice worker Yamila Santos Perez, who speaks Spanish.

Mrs Haque’s daughter Alma Haque said: “Since Yamila has been visiting mum, she has started to communicate again and she is full of life. I know she looks forward to her coming.

“Yamila cares for mum with patience, complete dedication and kindness. I’m sure that this is what’s really helped her come out of herself again.

“It is as if my mum is more like her old self, before the illness set in.”

The Martlets Hospice in Hove cares for people with terminal cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, including motor neurone disease and dementia.

As well as support at the hospice itself, the team provides respite support to patients and carers in their own homes.

Martlets respite manager Ginny O’Reilly said: “We are often a lifeline for carers who can feel trapped at home because they cannot leave their loved one alone.

“Also, many carers, particularly those looking after a spouse, are often elderly themselves and have their own health problems, which they end up neglecting.

“Even if we are going to help people stay at home, rather than end up in hospital, then we need to look after the carers.”

The hospice is highlighting the different aspects of its work to mark Hospice Care Week, which starts on Monday.

A hospice spokeswoman said: “People who do not know a lot about hospice care may be surprised that so much of it takes place in patients’ homes or that many people are discharged from hospices after short stays so that they can live at home with support from hospice teams.

“Even fewer people may know about hospice staff and volunteers going the extra mile to add life to days, the range of therapies that enrich the lives of people receiving end-of-life care or the important role that hospices play in supporting and educating staff and volunteers in other settings beyond hospices, including care homes and hospitals.”

The hospice is not part of the NHS and, as a charity, it relies on the support of the community to keep going.

To find out more about the hospice, visit: www.themartlets.org.uk.