The first week of May marks National Hospice Palliative Care Week.
This week is dedicated to shining a light on the compassionate care Hospice Societies bring to our communities.
Hospice societies are not only about ‘death and dying’. They offer a philosophy of care that supports individuals and families as they face a life-limiting illness.
Hospice care is based on a holistic model that seeks to enhance a person’s quality of life and actively support their emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs and wishes.
A person can receive hospice care within their own home or in any care setting. Trained hospice volunteers can provide a variety of services and support including advance care planning, companionship, caregiver respite, grief and bereavement support and much more.
Over the last couple of years, the Nakusp Hospice Society has made great advances in being more of a presence in our community.
Last fall, we offered a 32 hour volunteer training course in which 10 community members learned the skills necessary to be Hospice volunteers. We also started hosting monthly Death Café’s. The primary purpose of a Death Café is to provide a space where people can talk openly about death, share their experiences, and ask questions without feeling uncomfortable or judged.
Last year, saw another cuddle bed make its way to the Arrow Lakes Hospital as well as a very well-attended community discussion on Advanced Care Planning facilitated by Dr. Trevor Janz. We most recently offered a free Grief Tending 101 workshop designed to improve grief literacy and provide tools to better support oneself and others through the grieving process.
Our annual Hike for Hospice will take place June 1t. We would love it if you could join us.
Pledge forms are available at Royal Lepage Selkirk Realty, or downloadable on our website nakusphospice.com. If you are interested in learning more about the society and what we do, this is a great opportunity to come meet us!
If you would like to participate in the work of the Nakusp Hospice Society, either as a volunteer or a board member or if you would like more information about upcoming events or the services provided by Hospice, please contact our coordinator Christa Rebman at 250-551-1414 or visit our website at nakusphospice.com.
Nakusp Hospice Society