Hospice project inching closer to a facility

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Three years after fundraising efforts began for the creation of a local hospice facility, the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society (WAHS) has reached one-third of the necessary $3 million in funds and have now completed their outreach programming development.
Over the past year, the society has focused its energy on developing four outreach programs – Dying2Learn Wheatland, the Palliative Navigator, the Bedside Respite and No One Dies Alone – and with the recent addition of a palliative care navigator and a Dying2Learn Wheatland manager, the outreach programming has come full circle.
By researching success stories in other communities, the society welcomed former nurse Diane Cammaert into the fold. Cammaert is expected to serve as the palliative navigator as soon as November. The trained palliative volunteer identifies support needs caregivers and those in the end stages of their lives, and maps social networks and plans for collaborative care. Cammaert will also match people within the community with tasks such as mowing lawn, providing transportation as well as other everyday tasks not covered by home care or social service programs.
“We talk about going in early and being upstream when you still have those capabilities and some wellness, then you’re better able to make decisions than when you are when you’re in full-blown crisis,” said Cammaert. “We know that people who stay engaged and socially connected will do well longer. I guess in essence that’s a little bit of what we’re thinking about with this navigating care; keep them connected and part of that compassionate caring community.”
In order to educate the public and put families and the community at ease, Joni Elliott, who recently completed her Master’s studies in counselling, accepted the position of Dying2Learn Wheatland manager. She is already focused on providing the community with a speaker series that mirrors more intimate café-style support for those in need and in grief support.
“It’s a scary time in peoples’ lives,” said Elliott. “A lot of people aren’t comfortable with asking the questions. We’re bringing in education and offering places where it’s open for people to come in and ask those questions in a very casual environment and get that elephant that’s sitting in the room talked about.”
Thus far the society has raised $1 million towards the $3 million project. While options such as partnering with Alberta Health Services (AHS) or seeking a residential property proved less than ideal, the society is in discussions with the Wheatland Housing Management Body on partnering on a joint project. The society hopes to start construction within the next three years.
For the past three years, Wheatland County, Strathmore and surrounding areas have rallied behind the cause in helping to raise funds through monetary contributions at the Steering Towards Hospice gala in conjunction with the Cheadle Lions, and the Hike for Hospice. Third-party fundraising has also trickled in, as well as donations in memoriam. The society now also has a major capital campaign.
“The rural community has really felt there’s a problem with the distribution of rural palliative beds versus beds that are available in Calgary, and we feel strongly that having hospice beds and keeping our dying in our own community is very important,” said Joni McNeely, president of WAHS.
“We have taken a public health approach to hospice palliative care where we’re looking at changing the culture of caring for our dying. We’re looking to improve our capacity to allow us to care for our dying in the community (and) we are looking to change the attitudes of our community to create a more compassionate community.
On Oct. 2, The Dying2Learn Wheatland program is hosting a discussion, Good Grief, Charlie Brown, welcoming speaker Tracy Sutton, a registered psychologist and manager at Alberta Health Services Grief Support Program. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Strathmore High School auditorium. The event is free to attend. Information regarding upcoming events can be accessed through the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society Facebook page and website at wheatlandhospice.ca.