We are very excited at Hospice Simcoe because we have been nominated for a Community Excellence Award. Although it would be wonderful to win, the nomination itself is truly the most important part.
We have had a tough year at Hospice. Staff downsizing and changes, trying to open the residence, getting comfortable with a daunting budget and fundraising expectations have more than consumed us this past year. Part of the application forms that we needed to hand in for the award, included the need for reference letters. On short notice, we turned to our volunteers to consider what they might recommend about Hospice.
The letters written were worth more than any other honour we might receive. These were stories of personal courage and dedication. They were humbling to read and validating. In these notes, our volunteers described the essence of our work at Hospice. Personal connection to people at a time when they are vulnerable, that gives them permission to focus on what is important to them. Our volunteers create that blank slate of acceptance that allows someone to dream and hope and reach.
Hospice palliative care is multidimensional. It encompasses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of an individual. It puts the person and their family at the center of care, asking “what is important to you now?”
A recent study in the August New England Journal of medicine indicates that individuals who receive palliative care, have fewer symptoms of depression, admit to better quality of life and despite having fewer interventions and treatments actually live longer than those without palliative support. We know that when an individual has good pain control they do better from a survival stand point as well.
We are told that only 10 – 15% of those who would benefit from palliative care access it. Is that because of lack of service available or lack of knowledge or awareness that there are programs available? Hospice Simcoe has been supporting families through its visiting program for more than 22 years and other Hospices in our region have been running almost that long as well. Research indicates that the majority of individuals would want to die at home, surrounded by their loved ones. Our visiting programs give extra hands to those caregivers so they don’t get so tired or feel overwhelmed by the tasks ahead. Getting involved with a hospice at the time of diagnosis of a life threatening illness makes the most sense. Keeping individuals as well as they can be and supporting the families so they can continue their care giving at home is the work of Hospice. For those who cannot remain at home, we have the Residential Hospice that we opened in December. Having a hospice, keeps our communities healthy. The support our communities give to Hospice, allows us to sustain these programs.
Our volunteers are our reach into the community. At Hospice Simcoe we have about 74 volunteers that are actively working with clients and another 15 between the Board and some of our committee work. Still we have a waiting list of individuals who do not yet have a volunteer at home. If you would like to help us or know of someone else who would, please contact us for an interview. We are planning our fall training session and would love to have you join us. Come, be a part of Hospice Simcoe.
Cate.