Huntsville as well as the surrounding community are fortunate to have it – an organization dedicated to supporting patients, their families and caregivers at the end of life.
Hospice Huntsville was incorporated in 1989 to help bring a warm and dignified end-of-life experience for those in palliative care, while also supporting their families, friends and caregivers. Its programs rely heavily on volunteers and include simply sitting with someone and keeping them company, whether at home or in a hospital setting, so they’re not alone while also providing much-needed relief for caregivers who often find themselves worn down by sadness and other family and work responsibilities.
The organization has been offering grief and bereavement support for adults, children and teens and more recently, in 2012, added a residential component to its programming. Algonquin Grace is a five-bed residential hospice which provides 24-hour nursing and personal support for patients. Every room has a window to a beautiful setting and the facility is made to feel anything but institutional. Since its inception, Algonquin Grace has served approximately 600 residents and their families. Its volunteers have logged in over 13,640 hours to support the organization and its role in the community.
“Residential hospices are cost effective. They’re the community care answer and the way to go. They provide the care at the right time, in the right place,” Hospice Huntsville Executive Director Bev Lashbrook told Huntsville Council at its January 22 meeting. She said hospice beds represent a savings in overall health care spending as a hospice bed would cost just one-third or up to half of what an acute care bed would cost in hospital. But despite the savings, the organization is still required to fundraise 40 to 50 per cent of its annual operating budget, which works out to approximately $524,000 a year, while the remainder is funded through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care via the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network.
“Definitely we work very hard in this dynamic community that helps sustain us, but it’s certainly a tough go of it,” said Lashbrook.
Hospice Huntsville relies heavily on signature fundraisers such as its annual Hike for Hospice fundraiser, taking place this year on Sunday, May 6 at River Mill Park, as well as its Swim for Hospice event, held in the summer.
“The need is clear. We have an aging population, so that means there’s going to be a huge increase in the numbers needing palliative care,” said Lashbrook who attended the meeting with Melissa Polischuk, Public Relations and Fundraising Co-ordinator, and introduced council to its new fundraiser, referred to as The 500 Club, which aims to raise $500 per year from each of its members.
Those who join can contribute the annual amount through monthly payments, which enables the organization to rely on planned donations. Its goal is to have 200 members by the end of the year, with a long-term goal of 500 members. It currently has 129. Council was asked to spread the word and share the initiative with their constituents. At the end of their presentation, Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison committed to become the 130th member.
All of the programs offered by the organization are free. For more information about Hospice Huntsville as well as its fundraising initiatives, you can access its website here.
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Mary Spring says
Joining the 500 Club can mean a yearly investment of $500 or 12 monthly payments of just over $40. We all know individuals whose lives have been comforted by the Algonquin Grace Hospice and the wonderful team of staff and volunteers. I know that this community can reach this goal!
Mary Spring
Yvonne Heath says
End of life is something we will all face. I have known many people supported by hospice volunteers and many who spent their last few days or weeks at Algonquin Grace. The care, support and love the dying person and their loved ones received, made all the difference. People cannot say enough about how tremendous our residential hospice and its staff are. They are forever grateful. We must all do what we can, to make this sustainable. Every little bit helps!
Jonathan Wiebe says
I have such respect and admiration for the incredible work that the staff and volunteers at this organization do. See you all at the hike to raise funds for Hospice!