The Health And Safety Of Our Clients, Volunteers And Staff Is Our Primary Concern.
A Message from the Executive Director, Judy Nairn:
Providing Comfort, Care and Support to those in our community who are experiencing an end-of-life journey, has been the work of Hospice Waterloo Region for over 25 years. During these challenging times it is even more important that we find ways to reach out to those who are isolated in their journey.
Hospice Waterloo Region is delivering our regular services with additional precautions and following Public Health guidelines. All of our staff and volunteers are vaccinated against COVID-19 and precautions such as masks, sanitizing, and social distancing in groups are being maintained.
If you would like to inquire about receiving Hospice Waterloo Region services, please email intake@hospicewaterloo.ca or telephone 519-743-4114 and leave a message. Staff will reply to messages within 1-2 business days.
Resources
Canadian Virtual Hospice — If you would like further supports for hospice palliative care, please check Canadian Virtual Hospice for information and virtual supports.
Advance Care Planning — The fear and uncertainty we are all feeling related to COVID-19 is understandable and no doubt raises questions in your mind about your own health care or that of those closest to you.
Resiliency – The definition of resiliency is a capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. And we know that mindfulness, relaxation and meditation can be tools that foster resiliency. There are many different web pages that can be helpful, this is one we can recommend – click here.
Legacy – Legacy activities have been shown to be effective across age groups to positively impact the emotional and social health of the patient and to strengthen bonds and relationships. The products of legacy activities, whether memories or physical objects, become totems that can be helpful to support coping throughout illness, grief and bereavement. Hospice of Waterloo Region has a number of legacy activities for children, families and individuals.
Grief, Dying and Death During a Pandemic — This resource created by the Psychosocial and Spiritual Supports Working Group of the Region of Waterloo provides support to those dealing with grief and death. It includes four sections: why we feel grief, when someone you care about is dying, after someone you care about has died, and resources. This resource will evolve as new information becomes available, so please revisit this resource regularly – click here.
Our Services
Volunteer and client programs are being monitored to address current circumstances and can be adjusted to reduce face to face interactions when needed or requested
- Volunteer One to One Visiting, Day Programs, and Bereavement Walking Group clients are being supported in person by volunteers and staff and/or with virtual supports.
- Complementary Therapies, Hair Salon Services, and Support Groups, are operating with extra precautions.
- Vigiling Services, and volunteer supports to Long Term Care are suspended until further notice.
- Limited Transportation services are available for existing clients as required.
- Counselling services will be available to existing clients through telephone support.
Organizational events such as our community workshops and fundraising activities are being offered with some restrictions. Anyone coming to our offices to participate in a program must be double vaccinated for COVID-19. Check our calendar of events for what is being scheduled.
For the most current information on the COVID19 situation in Ontario, please check here.
A Special Thank You From Our Executive Director
In the days before COVID-19, people said thank you in many different ways. Often it was with a card or flowers. Sometimes it was with a gift or even just a personal visit and a hug. And the thank you was recognition for someone doing something unexpected or helping in a special way.
We at Hospice of Waterloo Region would like to express our thanks to everyone who has been working so hard over the past 24 months, to care for those who need our help. This includes: our health care system colleagues who have endured stress and unbelievable workload in very trying times; every caregiver who has been managing on their own to support loved ones at home; the many volunteers and community members who stay focused on helping those in need; and to all of our own staff who were committed to providing the best care possible to those on an end of life journey.
We would like to thank you not only for the work you are doing every day during this time of crisis but especially for how you are doing this work.
Every amazing act of compassion is a demonstration of a palliative approach to care. They are also why thanks are so important right now.
Thank you for caring. Thank you for going above and beyond. Thank you for being an outstanding example of our hospice palliative care foundational philosophy – You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life.
Judy Nairn, Executive Director
Thank you for understanding and being sensitive to the reality that we all must work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For more details on COVID-19, visit Region of Waterloo Public Health.
The Ontario Ministry of Health provides a COVID-19 self-assessment tool to check your symptoms and how to get help.
Please check back regularly for updates.
Learn More About Hospice Programs
Do you have questions about Hospice Waterloo Region, our programs and services, or the hospice experience? Please contact us, we’d be happy to talk to you.
Call Us Today At 519.743.4114