“This house is perfect for our Hospice Centre” stated Cathrine Yuill, Executive Director for the Hospice Society.  “The welcoming and home-like environment allows Hospice to offer more programs and support more people facing serious illness or grief.”  The house will receive minor renovations over the next few months prior to opening.

The purchase of this home was made possible by the major bequests of some very special people.  Joanne Venner, a long standing community member known for her leadership and generosity with groups such as the Newcomers Club, donated her house to Hospice in 2011.  Nellie Traxler-Boome, sister to Bill Boome, residents of Truro, donated half of her estate in memory of her mother Marta Bumova in 2010.  “The Hospice Society was honoured to have been selected as the charity of choice for these bequests” said Yuill. “These generous individuals made legacy gifts that have enabled Hospice to move forward with a bold vision to address the needs of those we serve.”  Gifts made to a charity through a will are a wonderful way to leave a legacy and often provide many tax savings benefits to the individual’s estate.

Dr. David Henderson, Medical Director of the Palliative Care Program, Colchester East Hants Health Region and board member for the Hospice Society has been an integral part of the Hospice team over the years of development. “We know families need support to be offered where they live and Hospice has developed and implemented a number of wonderful community based programs that significantly touch the lives of the people of this region” said Henderson.  “I look forward to working with Hospice in continuing to bring innovative, client-centred care to our community from their new home.”

The Hospice Board is committed to the vision of providing client driven, community based and sustainable support to families. This involves working closely with our Regional Palliative Care team and all end of life care stakeholders.  The Society is focused on providing family support in this large rural region which extends from Tatamagouche to Elmsdale, from Five Islands and Walton to Upper Stewiacke.

Though Hospice has always contemplated the need for a Residential Hospice in our region, they are not there yet.  A Residential Hospice is a home-like place of care and comfort for individuals who can no longer remain at home but do not require the acute level of care provided at the hospital.   Residential Hospice Houses have existed in various locations across Canada for many years.  Hospice Saint John of New Brunswick operates Atlantic Canada’s only Residential Hospice House.  Hospice is doing some architectural planning for the phase two development of such a facility in the future however many factors must be considered.  Resources will need to be set aside and a partnership with the Department of Health established before such a venture can become a reality.  Residential Hospice Houses cost approximately 1.5 million to build and 1.5 million dollars annually to operate.

The Colchester East Hants Hospice Society is a registered charity founded in 2003.  Hospice provides care and support to families facing end of life and grief.

For more information contact:

or

Reo J. Matthews, Grand Master of Masons of Nova Scotia, G. Edward Hingley, District Deputy Grand Master of Colchester County, & Nick Sharpe, Fund Development Coordinator of Hospice.

The commemorative medals were created as part of celebrations marking the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada. For 60 years, Her Majesty has exemplified the true meaning of service with steadfast purpose and dedication. The medals provide a tangible way to recognize those Canadians who, like Her Majesty, have dedicated themselves to service to family, community and country.

“David has been a strong leader on the provincial scene [and] he is leading the way forward to help improve the availability of palliative care for all Canadians” stated Dr. Gerry Farrell, Medical Director of Palliative Care, Pictou County Health. “At present, only 15% of people in Canada have access to organized palliative care.”

Enhancing access to palliative care services has been Dr. Henderson’s goal since he began working in the field. This is an area where advances need to be made, said Dr. Henderson. “Services need to be more uniformly available.  There is no provincial program in place that provides access to all people in need.” In most parts of Nova Scotia palliative care is only available between 9 – 5 and this needs to change.

Henderson has touched the lives of many local families with his compassionate and personal approach. Henderson received this recognition for his ongoing leadership in the development of palliative care across Canada. Along with his active role with local Hospice Society, he serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians,  has served  on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and is a past President of the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association.  These positions have allowed him to continually work for improved end of life care for families through systems change and advocacy with policy makers.

Henderson and other leaders in the hospice palliative care field received their medals as part of the CHPCA’s 2012 AGM which took place during the International Congress on Palliative Care October 9 – 12.

For more information, please contact:

Cathrine Yuill, Executive Director

902-893-3265

cyuill@cehhospice.org

Duties:

The Hospice Society is seeking an experienced individual to provide Social Work support, leadership and coordination in the delivery of client based programs offered by the Hospice Society. This position reports to the Executive Director of the Hospice Society, working with a Hospice team that includes another Hospice Social Worker. The position will support both palliative and grieving clients and their families. The Hospice Social Worker works closely with the CEHHA Palliative Care Consult Team, aiming to enhance end of life care in Colchester and East Hants. The Hospice Social Worker provides client intake, assessment, counseling, and advocacy; builds capacity through community relationships, and provides education to other professionals, families, staff, volunteers and the community. The incumbent has the competency to manage a caseload and facilitate groups. The incumbent will provide leadership for several client-based programs and will review and implement operational policy and practice, contributing to the development of hospice programs and services. Access to a vehicle is required for travel throughout the Colchester East Hants region.

Qualifications:

The incumbent will have a minimum of a Masters of Social Work, and is eligible to be a Registered Social Worker in Nova Scotia. The incumbent will have experience in family and individual counseling. The incumbent will be a dynamic educator and have experience working with a clinical team. Experience, and training in palliative care and grief and bereavement, a strong understanding of the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of people who are terminally ill, their caregivers, and those who are bereaved are considered essential skills for this position.

Hours of Work:

75 hours bi-weekly Salary and Benefits: The Hospice Society offers a competitive salary and benefit package.

To apply for the above position, please forward resume stating qualifications, experience, and salary expectations to cyuill@cehhospice.org by October 26, 2012. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

If you were touched by this video, consider making a tax-deductable donation to the Hospice Society. The options for donating are as follows:

Make an online donation by clicking here.

Print, complete and mail in the donation form here.

Contact the office at 902-893-3265 and donate over the phone with visa.

Link to Hospice Video

Hospice is a philosophy of care. It focuses on improving the quality of living and the quality of dying for those facing serious illness, death and grief. Hospice works closely with the Palliative Care program in our region to provide physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical support. Hospice is a registered charity and 100% of our fundraising activity supports programs throughout our community. We are completely funded by generous foundations, businesses and community members like you.

Our Programs & Services meet a wide range of needs. From supporting those who are experiencing financial hardship while facing end of life to helping families work through the challenging emotional issues that naturally arise, Hospice is there. Our volunteers provide practical help and they alleviate loneliness. Professional staff help make final arrangement and assist in navigating difficult decision-making. We reach out to help support and educate the community, embracing the truth the both death and grief are a natural part of life.

Visit the below pages for more information on our programs and services:

• Palliative programs
• Grief programs
• Community education

Tickets are $50 each, on sale November 15^th at MacQuarries on the Esplanade, online at www.ticketpro.ca or 1-888-311-9090

You’ll Die Laughing is a new hospice event aimed at letting friends and supporters enjoy some laughter and joy while supporting the important work of hospice.

This years headliner. Rick Mercer.

Audiences can count on trade mark Rick Mercer humour as he chronicles, satirizes, and ultimately celebrates all that is great and irreverent about this country. His top-rated, award-winning CBC show, The Rick Mercer Report features his famous rants and comic encounters with famous Canadians. Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, few people know Canada like Rick Mercer knows Canada. Unashamedly proud, fiercely skeptical, and endlessly entertaining, Mercer knows the people, the culture, the passions, and the heartaches.

In this new presentation, Mercer pokes and prods at our institutions. He reveals hypocrisy at the highest reaches of power. And he draws our attention to hardworking, unsung heroes. In the process, he illuminates everything that’s great and irreverent about Canada. Mercer’s unrivaled genius is his ability to make you laugh at, question, think about, and, most of all, appreciate this glorious country we all share.

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