Spring 2016 - North Perth Community Hospice

Hospice Highlights
March 2016
Phone
Directory
Highlights
NorthHospice
Perth
Community
March 2016
Hospice
North Perth Community Hospice
Aids Action Perth County ................................................................... 1-519-272-2437
Alzheimer Society Perth County ............................. 1-519-271-1910 / 1-888-797-1882
Big Brothers and Big Sisters ……………………………………………………. 291-6762
Breast Screening Centre, Listowel ............................................................ ...291-5490
Canadian Cancer Society................................................................... 1-519-271-4270
Cancer Information Service ................................................................ 1-888-939-3333
Community Nursing Services ....................................................................... 291-5867
Community Care Access Centre Perth County................................... 1-800-269-3683
Family Services Perth-Huron Hospice (Stratford) ............................... 1-519-273-1020
Huron Perth Crisis Intervention Program ............................................ 1-888-829-7484
Huron Perth Centre for Children and Youth .................................................. 291-1088
Kids Help Phone ................................................................................ 1-800-668-6868
Listowel Memorial Hospital ........................................................................... 291-3120
Listowel Mental Health ................................................................................. 291-1320
Meals on Wheels, Listowel ........................................................................... 291-5898
North Perth Community Support Services………………………………………291-5898
North Perth Easy Ride Transportation ................................................ 1-877-500-9875
North Perth Early Years Centre ………………………………………………… 291-6626
Optimism Place Women’s Shelter & Support Services……..1-800-265-8598/ 519-301-5310
Pain and Symptom Management, Perth-Huron County ...................... 1-519-200-9438
Perth District Health Unit .............................................................................. 291-2812
Para-Med Health Services ................................................................. 1-800-276-3665
Residential Hospice Sakura House……………………………………... 1-519-539-1231
Town and Country Support Services ...................... 1-519-273-2203 / 1-888-252-1117
Victim Services Perth Huron ........................................................................ 271-9998
Victorian Order of Nurses, Perth Huron ............................ 1-800-265-5176 / 291-4611
North Perth Community Hospice
105 - 135 Main Street East
Listowel ON | N4W 2B5
40045246
Page 12
March
2016
Publication No. 40045246
Hospice Highlights
13th Annual Spring Social
The North Perth Community Hospice Spring Social is
fast approaching, and we
could not be more excited!
This year’s event promises
to bring people together
over good food, entertainment and laughter. This
will be the Social’s 13th
year running and we cannot
thank
everyone
enough for the tremendous support we receive
from our community.
The event will once again
be held at the Listowel
Golf Club. This venue continually makes for a great
setting and atmosphere for
friends to get together over
drinks and delicious food.
Alex Petter of Culinary
Fools Catering Company is
returning to create a light
lunch for all to enjoy. This
year it promises to brighten everyone’s evening as
we get ready to leap into
Spring.
Last year the Social featured a fashion show from
local stores. The attendees
had the chance to preview
looks for the upcoming
season for several different
fashion styles. From sporty
to flirty to trendy to formal,
it was a beautiful display of
colours, patterns and textures.
With the generosity of local businesses and individuals, this event continues to
be one of our biggest fundraising events of the year,
and also one of the most
enjoyable. So if you have
not been able to attend in
the past, call our office to
order your ticket early as
they sell out quickly, and
Matt Richardson
Master of Ceremonies
start saving your toonies
for our Chinese Auction.
You will not be disappointed as this year’s social
promises another evening
of laughter, entertainment
and Spring time flair.
(Please see our Coming Events
section for more info)
Spring is nature’s way of
saying, "Let’s party!"
Robin Williams
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
North Perth
Community Hospice
~~~~~~~~~~~
Our office is located at:
105 - 135 Main Street East
Listowel, ON N4W 2B5
(behind Ward & Uptigrove)
Coordinator of
Hospice Services
Susan Qureshi
Coordinator of
Visiting Volunteers
Mary Kay MacKenzie
Office Manager
Catherine Corcoran
The office is generally open:
Tuesday and Thursday
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone (519) 291-5141
Email: npch@wightman.ca
www.northperthcommunityhospice.org
Due to the rising cost
of postage,
please send your email address
to: npch@wightman.ca
if you would like to receive
your newsletter by email.
Page 2
Message from the Chair,
Lois McLaughlin
Spring is in the air and Hospice is gearing
up for its Annual Spring Social to be held
on April 7th, at the Listowel Golf and Country Club. We invite everyone to come out
as it is a wonderful evening to spend time with friends, enjoy
some great food and entertainment. There will be silent auction items and of course bring your toonies for our Chinese
auctions which are always a big hit.
We also look forward to the Pro Am Golf tournament which
the Golf Course is hosting again this year on July 15th and
Hospice is very fortunate to be the recipient of the proceeds
from this event for the third year.
We appreciate all of the support we get from our community
each year through generous donations and attendance at our
fundraising events.
I am coming to the end of my term on the Board of Directors
and my experience has been very rewarding as Hospice continues to grow. I want to commend the Board and staff on all
of their accomplishments while maintaining a strong vision
for Hospice.
I would especially like to thank Sue, Mary Kay and all of the
Visiting Volunteers for their commitment and dedication to
Hospice and for making a difference in the lives of individuals,
their families and caregivers.
North Perth Community Hospice plays an important role in
our community and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to be a part of it for the past eight years.
“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are,
you will always be in my heart.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
3rd Annual
Pro - Am
Golf Tourney
Friday, July 15, 2016
Listowel Golf Club
(more details to follow
in the next newsletter)
13th Annual Spring Social
Thursday, April 7, 2016 - 7:00 p.m.
Listowel Golf Club - Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Guest Caterer - Master Chef Alex Petter
of The Culinary Fool Catering Company
Master of Ceremonies
Matt Richardson
Door Prizes ~ Cash Bar ~ Appetizers
Silent Auction ~ Chinese Auctions
Tickets - $30 ~ please call 519-291-5141
DON’T FORGET YOUR TOONIES!
Listowel Cyclones
Jr. B Hockey Team
for hosting our Annual Teddy
Bear Toss
The Listowel Figure
Skating Club
for collecting the bears at
our Annual Teddy Bear Toss
Local Businesses
Merchants
and Individual Supporters
for your generous
donations to our
Annual Spring Social
Annual General
Meeting
Teddy Bear Family
Play Day
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
at 7:00 p.m.
Ward & Uptigrove
2nd Floor Conference Room
For more information,
please call the office at
519-291-5141
Saturday, June 18, 2016
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
At Listowel Memorial Park
Parade begins at 11:00 a.m.
Listowel Public Library
Please come and visit our
Information Booth
VOLUNTEER FAIR AT LISTOWEL GOLF CLUB
WEDNESDAY APRIL 27TH FROM 1-7 PM
Are you interested in volunteering? Drop by the Volunteer Fair Open House at the Listowel Golf Club. Local organizations, such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Middle Maitland Rejuvenation Committee and NPCH who are looking for volunteers will be available
to talk about their services and answer your questions. This is a great opportunity to find
out ways you can volunteer. Volunteers make a BIG difference in our community! Call
519-291-5141 for more details.
Page 11
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
National Hospice Palliative Care Week: May 1 – 7, 2016
Fact: Seniors make up the fastest-growing age group. It is estimated that seniors could account for between 23% and 25% of the total population by 2036, nearly double the 13.9%
in 2009.
Did you
know?
32% of Canadians
Personally suffer
from a chronic
Illness.
39% of Canadians
Have a sufferer with
a life-limiting illness
in their immediate
family .
57% of Canadians
Either personally
suffer from a chronic illness or have a
sufferer in their
immediate family.
There is a REAL Demand for Hospice Palliative Care in Canada
Please visit: www.chpca-acsp.org/advocacy
Goodbye to Joan and Lois…
There are too many goodbyes this Spring! At the upcoming AGM
in June we sadly will say goodbye to two invaluable board members, our Chair, Lois McLaughlin, and Director, Joan Dietrich. Their
contributions to NPCH are too numerous to list and they will be
missed. According to our by-laws, a director can serve a maximum
of 8 years. Throughout their terms, Joan has made significant contributions to the Spring Social, Staff Performance Reviews, Hiring
Committees, Strategic Planning, Accreditation Review Committee and the Christmas Memorial Tree Service. Lois, has provided steady leadership through significant challenges and has
committed countless hours to NPCH as Treasurer, Chair, the Spring Social Committee, Executive Committee and, of course, all of the other annual events which keep us all so busy.
Volunteer appreciation does not touch how grateful we are to have had Joan and Lois working with us to ensure quality hospice palliative care continues in our community. Join us in
June at our AGM as we recognize and honour their time with NPCH.
Page 10
“The two hardest things to say in life are hello for the first time, and goodbye for the last.”
- Moira Rogers
“Goodbyes are not forever,
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I’ll miss you,
Until we meet again.”
Hospice Donations ……..
At the time of death, many of our clients often request
that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to North
Perth Community Hospice.
This generosity is greatly appreciated, as it helps us assure that the same compassionate support is available
to all in our community who are confronted with a lifelimiting illness or bereavement.
Please consider Hospice as your charity of choice if a
family has not stated a preferred recipient for memorial
donations.
Regarding our
mailing list .......
North
Perth
Community
Hospice
adheres
to
all
legislative requirements with
respect to protecting privacy
and personal information. We
do not rent, sell, or trade our
mailing list. We hope you find
this newsletter informative. If
you choose to be removed from
our mailing list, please contact
us at any time and we will
honour your wishes.
“Love is proved the moment
you let go of someone because
they need you to.”
- Shannon L. Alder
Welcome our newest Board Director: Ian Docker
Ian recently retired after 25 years at Home Hardware Stores Limited in St Jacobs. Ian looks forward to giving back to the community
he and his family have made home for over 30 years.
Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care Course Spring dates:
Listowel Caressant Care
10:00 am – 1:00 pm;
April 21, May 12, June 2
Fordwich Nursing Home
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm;
April 21, May 12, June 2
Huron Lea Home for the Aged, Brussels
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm;
June 9, June 29, July 20
Interested in becoming a Visiting Volunteer? This introductory, multi-disciplinary, educational course is
recommended for ALL Health Care providers and anyone registering to become a Hospice Palliative Care
Volunteer. Contact the Hospice Office at 519-291-5141 for registration details.
Page 3
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
Services Provided
by NPCH
 Our
Visiting Volunteer
Program provides support
for individuals and families faced with life-limiting
or terminal illness
 Visiting
Volunteers continue to provide support
to caregivers and families
when bereaved.
 In
agreement with
Listowel Memorial
Hospital, Hospice support
is available for palliative
care patients while in the
hospital

The Fundamentals
Course is conducted on a
regular basis, and
available to anyone who
would like to learn about
palliative care for their
own purposes, or to
become a Visiting Volunteer with Hospice.
 Our
office has a resource
library, available to the
public, which includes
books, tapes, cd’s and
videos about death and
grief for both adults and
children
Page 4
Coordinator’s Comments
by Mary Kay MacKenzie,
Coordinator of Visiting Volunteers
Five years ago, we bid farewell to our dear friend and
mentor, Sharon Johnson, who was passionate in her
efforts to further the work of hospice palliative care in North Perth. She
modelled the conviction that “Hospice is about living, not dying” and truly
believed in the principle put forth by Dame Cicely Saunders, Hospice
Founder, 1918-2005; “You matter because you are you. You matter to the
last moment of your life and we will do all that we can, to help you not only
to die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”
In 2011 when I entered the office door as NPCH’s Coordinator of Visiting
Volunteers I stood on a strong foundation with dedicated staff, a committed Board of Directors and a faithful group of Visiting Volunteers. So
much was new to me. How thankful I was for the support and guidance
they offered as I navigated those first few months!
Farewells prompt reflection of moments spent with individuals and so
many treasured memories come to mind. Gratitude for each unique relationship fills my heart. Thank you to:
¨Our founders, Judy White and Sharon Johnson whose perseverance
guaranteed the future of hospice care in our community.
¨Each family who honoured me with the privilege of sharing both the
joys and the challenges of your journey. The lessons you have taught
through your strength and resilience will be with me forever.
¨The agencies who partner with NPCH, sharing their expertise and their
experience; Listowel Memorial Hospital staff, North Perth Family Health
Team, liaisons with SWLHIN Hospice Committee, Huron Perth Hospice
Committee, CCAC, Red Cross Care Partners, VON, our local Long Term Care
Facilities, and all personal support services. How passionately you team
with us to bring the best possible care!
¨Local municipal government representatives in North Perth as well as
our MPP and former Board Member, Randy Pettapiece, for the value they
place on the role of hospice care in our community.
¨The North Perth Business Community for sustaining our programs
through charitable support, year after year. Our community is second to
none in its consistent generosity, through financial and in-kind donations.
¨The residents of North Perth who open their hearts and their pocketbooks so readily and who attend events and programs each year.
¨Members of our Board of Directors who selflessly contribute hours to
meetings, fundraising initiatives, and to supporting our staff.
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
Book Review - Adult
The Happiness Project
Written By: Gretchen Rubin
What if you could change your life without really changing your life? On the outside, Gretchen Rubin had it all -- a good marriage, healthy children and a successful career -- but she knew something was missing. Determined to end that nagging feeling, she set out on a year-long quest to
learn how to better enjoy the life she already had.
Each month, Gretchen pursued a different set of resolutions. She read everything from classical
philosophy to cutting-edge scientific studies, from Winston Churchill to Oprah, developing her
own definition of happiness and a plan for how to achieve it. She kept track of which resolutions
worked and which didn’t, sharing her stories and collecting those of others through her blog
(created to fulfill one of March’s resolutions). Bit by bit, she began to appreciate and amplify the
happiness in her life.
The Happiness Project is the engaging, relatable and inspiring result of the author’s twelve-month
adventure in becoming a happier person. Written with a keen sense of humour and sharp insight,
Gretchen Rubin’s story will inspire readers to embrace the pleasure in their lives and remind them
how to have fun.
Book Review - Children
And Peter Said Goodbye
Written By: Jennifer C. Weil
The story tells us about Peter’s struggle to say Goodbye to his grandfather. His family made
a choice to not let him attend the funeral which upset Peter. Peter was drawn to the river,
which was a place he shared and enjoyed many special moments with his Grandfather.
There, he found peace and acceptance through a dream he had by the river. It is a beautiful
fantasy and gently helps a child identify their feelings of sadness, anger and acceptance.
As with any child’s book, the story should be read ahead of time by a parent or caregiver to
be sure the story aligns with family views. In this story, the grandfather is killed in an accident and so it will be important for some guidance to be provided with the story.
Page 9
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
The Sid and Margaret Henry Fund
This fund was established in 2007 by Jim, Jane, Don and David Henry, in honour of their parents and
their life in Listowel. The income generated from this fund supports educational opportunities for all
Hospice staff, volunteers and members of the community. If you are interested in contributing to the
Sid and Margaret Henry Fund, please contact the Foundation office at 1-877-271-1004.
The Stratford Perth Community Foundation is a registered charitable public foundation that serves the
charitable sector in Perth County. The Foundation matches acts of caring with community needs by
providing efficient and flexible donor services, grants to a broad range of community needs, and leadership in understanding as well as responding to current and emergent community needs.
5 - 55 Lorne Avenue East, Stratford ON, N5A 6S4
email: info@spccf.ca -or- website: www.spccf.ca
“That is one good thing about the world...there are always sure to be more springs.”
- L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
9th Annual Teddy Bear Toss a Success
A rush of excitement is generated when the bears start arriving
at the arena. With the snow falling steadily, it was heartwarming to see men and children walking with a teddy bear tucked
in their jackets. There was a feeling of excited anticipation with
everyone holding their bears, waiting to throw them onto the
ice. This year the Listowel Skating Club provided us with volunteer skaters to collect the bears and they patiently waited, Laura Hessels accepting some Teddy
anticipating the first Cyclone goal. We did not have to wait Bears on behalf of the Perth County
Paramedic Ambulance Services.
too long as Ray McFalls, very early in the first period, scored
a goal for our home team. As usual the Board and Volunteers rallied to deliver the bears to
the office. This year we were able to share teddy bears with the local paramedic team to
offer comfort to children in their care.
Page 8
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
¨Our dedicated Visiting Volunteers who extend heartfelt care and concern to each individual or family
under their care. Many are the stories of family members who have been impacted by the involvement of
one of our volunteers. (I miss you already!)
¨Our Office Manager, Catherine Corcoran, who joined us last year and is enthusiastically learning the
many facets of her role. Her organizational skills have been invaluable throughout the accreditation process.
¨Our Coordinator of Hospice Services, Susan Qureshi, who perpetuates the passion of our founders
in maintaining quality hospice care in our community. She understands the potential of how government
initiatives can challenge the autonomy we now enjoy as an independent agency and keeps our Board apprised of the implications for NPCH. As well, her spirit of compassion is limitless. Working alongside Susan
has gifted me with the privilege of witnessing “a selfless capacity” to reach out to all in need. I will truly miss
the comradery we have enjoyed through laughter, tears, challenges and joys.
The past five years have allowed me the privilege of participating in the completion of new initiatives, and
witnessing substantial growth and change within our organization. One highlight, for certain, was submitting
all of the documentation necessary to receive our accreditation; a monumental undertaking! As well, receiving the Service Organization of the Year Award from the North Perth Chamber was a high point for all of us
at NPCH in 2015.
Once again, I thank each and every one of you for enriching my days during this chapter of my life. Sadly, I
bid farewell with Dr. Seuss’s wisdom in mind: “Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.”
Looking forward with hope and back with gratitude,
Mary Kay MacKenzie
“The Heart of a Volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment
to make a difference in the lives of others.”
- DeAnn Hollis
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
APRIL 10 – 16, 2016
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE ROOTS OF STRONG COMMUNITIES
National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize, celebrate, and thank Canada’s volunteers.
Just like roots are essential for trees to bloom, volunteers are essential for communities to bloom.
Thanks to volunteers, our communities grow strong and resilient. Even the tiniest volunteer effort
leaves a profound and lasting trace in a community, much like tree rings that appear over time.
NPCH staff members invite you to join in recognizing, celebrating, and thanking the hardworking
volunteers who ensure quality programs and caring support are provided for our community.
Page 5
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
Grief and
Bereavement
Support
NPCH offers adult grief
and bereavement support
groups when requested. Call if
interested.
Ò
Children’s grief groups are
offered at the hospice office
as needed.
Ò
Individual grief support is
available by calling
the office.
Ò
Susan Qureshi has her MA in
Counselling and will cofacilitate all groups.
Ò
Bears and Kits for Kids is an
on-going program to support
any children dealing with loss
or illness.
Ò
All grief support sessions are
free of charge.
Ò
For information, or to make
an appointment, call
the office at 291-5141.
Page 6
Coordinator’s Comments
by Susan Qureshi,
Coordinator of Hospice Services
My message today is a reflection on saying goodbye.
Looking into the simple word we use every day, I
learned it is derived from the original expression ‘God be with ye’
from the mid-1500s, and about then was contracted into Goodbye.
Goodbye in other languages has similar themes of safety and farethee-well type meanings: In Spanish it is hasta la vista, auf wiedersehen in German, au revoir in French or waka saful from West African Krio. They all imply a future time together.
What about our difficult goodbyes? For example, the end-of-life
good-bye or the protracted good-byes with loved ones living with
dementia? What about the ‘unsaid’ goodbyes due to suicide or tragic accidents? There can be difficult good-byes with dear friends moving away, divorcing parents or colleagues retiring. In my reflections,
I recognized yet another example of heart-wrenching goodbyes;
those of individuals who must say goodbye to their homeland, families and way of life because they have become refugees, searching
for a new home with safety and a future.
All goodbyes carry with them a loss, many losses in fact, and grief
will be present. Some simple tools for managing grief and understanding grief may provide some comfort through the losses of difficult goodbyes.
For the protracted goodbyes there may be an experience of disenfranchised grief – there is no sense of acceptance for mourning
when a spouse is still living but life together is shattered by lifelimiting illness, and yet there is a need to mourn the loss of ‘the way
it was’. It is a very difficult time waiting, suspended not knowing if
today is the last day.
There often is anticipatory grief for protracted goodbyes when no
one knows when the daily trips to the long-term care residence will
end. Life is hard, coping each day and grief is experienced in anticipation of the loss.
There may be post-traumatic stress experienced for the difficult
goodbyes for those leaving a war-torn country, often leaving extended family, land, way of life.
Hospice Highlights
March 2016
For dealing with grief it is important to:
Acknowledge what was lost: it may be the future dreams of forever
together, the companionship, the change of role from spouse to
caregiver, the lost chance to say goodbye, the home and loss of
everything you have ever known. You need to clearly identify your
loss. It will not help you to deny it.
Be mindful of how you feel: irritable, confused, exhausted, hopeless, sad, terrified, anxious, sleepless, tearful, numb, isolated, neglected, lonely. Accept what you feel and do not resist the urge to
numb your feelings with work, alcohol, denial. Accept you are
mourning a loss or many losses, one right after another.
Take care to address your fundamental needs like: sleep, food,
warmth, safety. Reach out to people in your life who will provide
the support you need, or seek professional help if you are feeling
alone. Call our office if you need support or 1-888-829-7484; a
local 24-hour crisis line.
Allow time to remember special moments: share them with someone or simply allow yourself to recall memories so you can balance
your mourning with positive remembrances.
Allow time to mourn: through rituals, memorials, tears, memory
boxes, photo albums, letters, stories.
Look for information that may provide some comfort and understanding of your own unique experience. Every person is different
and there is not a singular, ‘this is how you should feel’ or ‘what
you should do’ list. Just accept your grief and care for yourself.
And on a more personal note: “Parting is such sweet sorrow”, Juliet’s call to Romeo may not be exactly the right quote, but saying
goodbye to Mary Kay as a colleague leaves me without words… it
feels bittersweet. To retire and make time for many other meaningful adventures is a wonderful choice to celebrate. But I will miss
her, we at Hospice will miss her. Her heart and passion for NPCH
will always be remembered. Saying farewell to a colleague with
whom I have shared an incredible learning journey of challenges,
successes, tears and much, much laughter is difficult. But, I am
grateful for the time we shared and will look forward to the years
of friendship ahead.
Board of Directors
Lois McLaughlin
Hope Robertson
Jane Pettapiece
Bev Dadson
Joan Dietrich
Dina Kritzer
Darlene Miller
Ian Docker
Jane Dwarika
Danette Beare
Elyse Critchlow
Executive Committee
Lois McLaughlin
Chair
Hope Robertson
Vice Chair
Jane Pettapiece
Treasurer
Catherine Corcoran
Secretary
Visiting Volunteers
Sandie Arlein
Gloria Cameron
Esther Cressman
Linda Doubleday
Diane Hymers
Mary Ellen Jacklin
Susan James
Maria Krabbe
Shirley Lynch
Alma Martin
Dianne Rellinger
Jodi Snell
Laura Tryssenaar
Page 7