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 Hospice
Huronia offers support and non-medical
care and comfort to individuals and families living with a life-threatening
illness. We are a supplement, not an alternative, to medical care
and other community support programs. Our focus is on caring not
curing, providing emotional support, comfort, dignity and hope.
Bereavement support is also available to anyone who has lost a loved
one.
Hospice Huronia services include:
- Professional assessment
of each client's and family's unique needs
- Volunteer Visiting service
to provide comfort and care or respite for the primary caregiver
- Physical support such as
outings, simple comfort measures, child/pet care, relief for the
caregiver, light meal preparation, etc.
- Emotional support such as
friendly listening, reading aloud, writing letters, telephone
support, conversation, etc.
- Bereavement support, either
individually or in a group.
- Information on community
support services, reading material, grieving process, library
resources, etc.
- Advocacy for pain and symptom
management, referral services, funeral support.
- Newsletter produced four
times annually and mailed to volunteers and clients.
 The
Visiting Volunteer Program
Men and women receive 30 hours of training in palliative care,
providing them with the skills needed to assist clients and their
families. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization and they
share a common belief that quality end-of-life care should continue
until death and that no one should have to make this journey without
support and care. Volunteers provide non-medical support such as
companionship, reading, gentle comfort measures, transportation
when necessary and respite for family members or principal caregivers.
Clients are assessed from referrals received from medical or community
sources and volunteers are matched according to needs.
Bereavement Support
 A
grief and loss support service is extended to families of clients
who have been in our care and to referrals from the community or
other health care agencies. Twice annually, Hospice Huronia conducts
a bereavement support group lasting for 10 weeks per session. The
group assists participants to learn coping skills for their grief,
as they have an opportunity to share and find support and understanding
among people who have faced similar experiences.
During the summer months Hospice Huronia offers a less structured
program "Healing Walk". Clients join our volunteers for a relaxing
walk (and talk) in the lovely setting of Penetanguishene's
waterfront park. This is an opportunity for bereaved persons to meet
other people who have lost loved ones, to tell their stories and
share their grief.
Bereavement support is also available on an individual basis through
referral to a trained bereavement volunteer or to a professional
counseling service.
WHO CAN BE REFERRED?
Adults and children who have been diagnosed with a life threatening
illness such as, but not limited to cancer, AIDS, end-stage heart,
lung or kidney disease, etc.
Anyone who has experienced the death of someone close to them.
WHEN DO I CONTACT HOSPICE HURONIA?
Our support is available from the time of the diagnosis of the illness
or at the time of bereavement.
Anyone may call for information or assistance. There is no charge
to clients for any of our services.
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