The Olds and District Hospice Society provides a wide range of services for people nearing the end of their life and can continue that programming thanks to recent donations.

On Tuesday, the group received a total of $6,500 from the Red Deer and District Community Foundation and the Sylvan Lake Endowment Fund.

Board member for the Society Mary Hatcher said that money will help to deliver programs such as NavCare, a flexible program of one-on-one support designed to fit the specific and flexible needs of house-bound people nearing the end of life. 

“They may be lonely, they may not know how to connect with individuals. They may not be able to figure out exactly what it is they need. “Do they need a friendly visitor? Do they need someone to take them someplace? Do they need a connection to medical care, like a physiotherapist or counsellor? All of those kinds of things,” Hatcher said. 

The NavCare person who goes in helps to navigate the house-bound person through the community and through the pieces they are unfamiliar with. 

Hatcher says one of the most important pieces is simply becoming a friend. She said the connection to other people helps bring happiness and inclusion when a person may be feeling most isolated. 

The Olds and District Hospice was one of the pilot sites for the NavCare program, and Hatcher said they continue to see the benefits of carrying on the program. She added the social aspect of the program is probably the most valuable and the biggest reason they'd like to keep it operating.

The funding received this week will also support the delivery of informational videos to the community so that people can be more prepared when dealing with matters surrounding end of life care or preferences. 

Volunteer for the Hospice Society Board Shannon Powell said when families are dealing with a loved one's end of life care, having discussions before they are needed can help to reduce the stress and difficulty of that time. 

She said the videos will include information on volunteering, a client's perspective, and also on bereavement. 

“If we can get those videos out there prior to a crisis happening or having a or diagnosis, I think it will help to alleviate some of the fear and anxiety that is out there in our society about death,” Powell said. 

She said when family members are able to talk about their plans, hopes, continuing wishes, and other details, it allows for an easier transition when the time comes to follow through on those plans. 

As well, she said it’s incredibly important to help families work through the bereavement process because a person’s death is not the end of their journey, in terms of how their family manages the loss. 

“It’s young people that need to talk to their parents, and they can talk to their parents, about what it is they would expect. Are there advanced directives? Are there things you’d expect? We don’t want to have those conversations, but we need too,” Hatcher said. 

The Olds & District Hospice Society is always seeking volunteers and donors to help support and maintain their programming. Contact them to get involved and find out how you can support their mission.