New residential hospice coming to Waterloo Region
Posted Mar 2, 2018 05:32:39 PM.
Last Updated Mar 2, 2018 07:43:52 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
More patients and families in Waterloo Region will receive compassionate palliative care – thanks to a boost from our provincial government.
It was announced Friday that Ontario is committing $2-million for a new Hospice of Waterloo Region care centre.
Kitchener Centre MPP Daiene Vernile says once it’s up and running, the province will continue to provide $1-million a year in operating fees.
“We’re really looking forward to helping, and servicing, the community. We know this new facility will provide people with compassionate care during a difficult time.”
Vernile says we usually talk about innovation in Waterloo Region in terms of our tech corridor, but this really is innovation for palliative care.
“The architects who designed this facility took a lot of time to connect with those at Hospice, and find out what people really need and want at end of life. When you look at the design – it’s really innovative. From the way they have their own individual rooms, and the way patients can be taken out to a private area from their beds to see nature and the forest and so on. It’s really thoughtful, and I love the way they factored in a lot of the natural materials in the area.”
Judy Nairn is Executive Director of Hospice of Waterloo Region, and says they worked really closely with the architect on this new building.
“He’s been fabulous at asking for our vision. It takes a lot for people to reach out to us for help, so we want to make sure it’s warm and inviting. We’re outgrowing rapidly the building we’re in right now – so this means we’ll be able to serve more people, and will have more spaces for our volunteers to work and train.”
Nairn says how they care for people at the end of life, is really a reflection of how they value people.
“It’s about us becoming a compassionate community. We already live in a generous community that understands how important it is to support people at the beginning of life, and at the end of life.”
Transportation Minister and Cambridge MPP Kathryn McGarry was also there for the announcement.
She says she understands the importance of hospice services because she used to be a nurse, and through personal experience.
“When my husband and I were looking after one of our children – who was considered palliative for awhile – we recognized that there was a lack of palliative care services in Waterloo Region. So we got together with other community members, and founded the Hospice of Waterloo Region nearly 25 years ago,” explains McGarry. “These palliative care services are essential for patients and their families to cope with what can be a very emotional time in their life.”
About 200 families will have better supports through this new hospice wing. The groundbreaking ceremony is happening later this spring, and it’s set to open to the public in summer of 2019.
