PRAISE FOR PALLIATIVE CARE STAFF’S ‘INCREDIBLE WORK’
During this most extraordinary time, we want to let you know we are thinking of you - our valued friends and supporters. Thanks to you, we have been there for patients and families when we are most needed.
In partnership with the Palliative Care Service, we have been helping patients and families navigate end-of-life care for over 30 years.
Naturally, there have been some changes in how we provide our services during this challenging time. Currently, all volunteer activity and the music therapy program have been suspended in the interest of everyone’s collective health and safety. We remain in regular contact with the Palliative Care Service health professionals who identify the needs of patients, families and staff in hospital and those at home.
While society members are now working from home, we can still provide items that are not covered by the health-care system such as groceries, home heating oil and special equipment to meet the needs of patient. Similarly, the society steps in to meet the unique needs of the palliative care patient in hospital as well.
We also want to acknowledge the incredible work that the Palliative Care staff are doing through the pandemic. We value their efforts and the skills, compassion, care and kindness they share daily with patients and families. Our gratitude to them is deep and heartfelt.
We have postponed two of our annual fundraising events. The golf tournament will return in 2021 and depending what happens with social distancing guidelines, we will consider holding our popular Sunflower Treasures Pop-Up shop in late fall. We will share any development as time unfolds. We are saddened to make these changes but these decisions are right for the time. Our efforts related to the hospice residence campaign will continue and we have every intention of opening the doors in 2021.
Clearly, the need for the hospice residence is as great today as it ever was. Patricia Jackson and Irene Khattar Co-chairs Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County