A new hospice residence is being planned for Markham, which will be the first time that dedicated hospice beds are available for residents of Markham, Stouffville, and Thornhill.
Evergreen Hospice, an organization that has offered community-based palliative care in the area for many years, is set to construct a three-bed hospice facility on a 1.5-acre property along Elgin Mills Road East, within Rouge National Urban Park.
For quite some time, patients in Markham and nearby areas have had to travel far to find hospice beds, often going as far as Durham or other regions.
Laura Lavallee, CEO of Evergreen Hospice, explained that the absence of local hospice beds has been a gap in care. The new residential beds would allow the organization to enhance its services beyond what it currently offers at home and through counseling.
This upcoming residence aims to provide around-the-clock care with nurses, doctors, and personal support workers available on site.
Typically, patients are referred through hospitals or healthcare providers and community partners. The average duration of stay in hospice care is about three weeks.
The project has received provincial support for three hospice beds; however, substantial fundraising efforts are still required to finalize the plan.
“While the Ministry of Health will provide some operational funding, about 75 percent of Evergreen’s funding comes from community donations,” Lavallee stated.
The organization is launching a capital campaign aimed at raising around $5 million, with approximately $3.5 million already secured. Recently planned is a cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea event for early May as part of this fundraising effort.
“All of our services are provided at no cost,” Lavallee noted while stressing how essential donations are for sustaining operations.
The need for hospice care is anticipated to increase as the population ages; by 2036 seniors are expected to comprise about a quarter of Canada’s total population.
At the same time, Lavallee mentioned that awareness remains an issue in diverse communities regarding these services.
“In many cultures, people don’t talk about death; however, this also means they might not know what support is available,” Lavallee remarked. She added that Evergreen’s work aims to change this conversation by focusing on dignity, comfort, and choice during end-of-life stages.
<p Founded in the late 1980s by a small group of nurses and community members, Evergreen Hospice provides assistance to individuals facing life-threatening illnesses along with their families.
<p Up until now, most of this care has been delivered at home or via counseling services.
<p Dr. Andrew Patterson has been involved with Evergreen since its inception and shared his views on palliative care being frequently misunderstood.
<p“It’s not about ‘no care’ – it’s about the right care,” he explained. “There is always something we can do.”
<p Construction on the facility is expected to start soon with hopes of completing it within the year once approvals are granted.
<p Lavallee emphasized that these three beds are just a beginning step; there are plans for future expansion as demand grows over time.(Source link)
