Hospice Muskoka Volunteer Mentors

This is another ShoutOut for both Hospice Muskoka, and a Muskokan, Elke Scholz  (author/artist, expressive arts therapist), and her Expressive Arts Therapy Bereavement classes. Below you can see the 4 teen mentors, Elke, and myself. Thanks for the parent who took the photo! I never seem to be in photos!! Two of our student mentors (as I recall!) attend St. Dom's, in Bracebridge. Our previous group of mentors, in the fall 6-week course, were fabulous students.

 Elke does individual arts therapy, but also works in schools, and with groups like Hospice Muskoka. Our work includes both children and adults. This particular group, mentored by the four young ladies (left), all high school students, worked with our clients, ages 7 to 11. These are photos of our student's work. We do not post photos of our clients, but their work is fabulous!

I am a trained Hospice Volunteer and I currently have an individual client, I visit her in her home, as well as working with this group. Volunteers receive training and participate in various conferences and training sessions. I have had the Foundations Palliative Care Course, as well as doing personal research into the general area of senior health. I will be speaking at the June 9th NSM Palliative Care Conference at Casino Rama.

Hospice Muskoka is funded 30% by the province (your tax dollars at work), and 70% through donations. We work in homes, act as friendly visitors to those in long-term care, as well as South Muskoka Memorial Hospital. In this, volunteer appreciation week, I like to laud our volunteers who try to make a difference. In fact, when you volunteer, the gifts you receive are incredible. I have had two palliative clients, and both have given me so much in return.

There were two volunteers with our latest group, myself and Mary, another volunteer with Hospice Muskoka. She also volunteered at the Hospice Muskoka Valentine fundraiser, held in Bracebridge, and Mary was unable to attend last night's celebration of our 10-week workshops. This is a February photo!

Volunteerism in Ontario is a hot topic these days, as the Ministry expects more work to be done who may simply be untrained neighbours. They expect families to take up the slack, too. I am glad that Muskoka has a strong group of volunteers, and one of the few children's bereavement programs in Ontario. I am glad, too that Hospice Muskoka has so many keen volunteers in all areas.

Hospice Muskoka Opens a New Palliative Care Room

Palliative Care and end-of-life care, is a crucial issue in health care. It is the right of every patient to die in dignity, with comfort measures that ensure that they are, indeed, comfortable. I have written else where that this is not always the case, especially for those without an advocate, i.e., in Long-Term Care. We also want family members to feel at ease physically, if not mentally. I have created a number of posts on Senior Health Care, specifically palliative care, it is of major concern. For those with the means and the methods, finding care is not so painless, but we do know that those with money tend to access more health care, than those with less means (Seow, 2008).

What is a shame is that Hospices in Canada depend about 70% on donations, despite our advocacy in this needy area of Dying With Dignity. Hospice Muskoka just finished the Butterfly Ball fundraiser. We are a busy group.

For those who have been with loved ones at the stage of life, we know the difference it makes to have access to nurses, and comfort measures. To that end, Hospice Muskoka, including, Sandra Winspear (Executive Director), Owen Mellow (Chairperson) and Board members - Pauline Bullock, Gail Oakley, Bonnie Blain, and Stephen Drury were all present yesterday at the ribbon cutting ceremony. In addition, Janice Smith (Office Administrator), and Michele de Koning (Intake Coordinator) were there to assist. Paul Demsey was in attendance, he spear-headed the first palliative care room in SMMH. Local politicians were there to speechify, as well as many volunteers.

I include here, Hospice Muskoka #1 Intro Owen Mellow, the reasoning behind the creation of a third palliative care room, by Owen.



Speeches can be viewed:

• Photos of the room: Hospice Muskoka Opens a New Bed in NMMH
• Hospice Muskoka #1 Intro Owen Mellow
• Final speeches: Hospice Muskoka #5 Palliative Care Room Dedication SMMH

Resources: Ontario

• Palliative Care available from Community Care Access Centres
• Palliative Care - information, reports and related links
• Advanced Care Planning Guide
• Life Care Transition Life Event - information from Seniors Canada On-Line
• Use the Care Finder search tool, under the Care Guide, to access a community agency directory with listings in over 300 towns and cities, as provided by the Ontario Community Support Association
• Locate a hospice
• Directory of Hospice Palliative Care Services

Reference
Seow, H. (2008). The use of end-of-life homecare services in Ontario, Canada: Is it associated with using fewer acute care services? (hsienseow@gmail.com)This research was presented at the NSM LHIN Palliative Care conference in Orillia, March 25, 2009. Dr. Seow will be working at McMaster.

The Butterfly Ball

It was with great delight that I attended the Butterfly Ball at the Muskoka Wharf Gallery. A fundraiser for Hospice Muskoka, many made valuable financial and temporal contributions.

As a Hospice Muskoka volunteer I have a deep commitment to helping families manage the care of family members in palliative care. I blog about current issues in Health Care - having done much research for my book.

Hospice Muskoka has two beds in the local hospital

Be sure to visit the Hospice Muskoka website (click on the logo) for more information. (or here: To make a donation. )Sandra Winspear (right), our Executive Director, is a hard-working person committed to helping provide care to clients and their families at home, in hospital, in seniors' residences and Long-Term Care home. We welcome volunteers, people to serve on committees, and donations.

We are only funded 22% by the government, yet provide an important service by volunteering in the community. Fundraising consumes much time and energy. Volunteers are reimbursed mileage, but otherwise we are experienced, trained caregivers who have taken the Foundations of Palliative Care Course, a provincially-mandated program delivered by RNs. Quality End-of-life care: the right of every Canadian.

We provide

• companionship, a listening ear, reading aloud, simple comfort measures (i.e., Therapeutic Touch), assistance with daily activities, writing letters, relief for caregivers, telephone support, bereavement follow-up, bedside vigil while family members rest.

There is much misinformation about palliative care, perpetuated by the myths surrounding pain and pain management. That said, this fundraiser was wonderful fun-filled event. Jim, suitably attired, affable host and owner of Muskoka Bay Gallery & Gifts, hams it up with hard-working Elke Scholz. She is a well known artist and expressive arts therapist.

Elke and I exchanged books at the last hospice volunteer conference, Live~Love~Laugh, and I am taking great delight in reading it, with a wealth of creative emotional and spiritual activities for those dealing with affective beliefs.

Patrons ambled around, viewing the incredible pieces on view. I must admit that my garden contains many pieces purchased here!
Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound Muskoka was there in support. While Sandra Winspear, Executive Director of Hospice Muskoka listens attentively.

Norm Miller

Riverwalk Executive Chef, David Friesen, prepared delicious treats for all - right there on the porch.

Everyone waited with baited breath, including my husband, as Sandra chose another draw winner. There were several door prizes.

Jack and Linda Hutton were there, long-time supporters of Hospice and pillars of the Bala volunteer community, including Meals on Wheels.

From My Muskoka

Artist: Elsa Boisjoly; a delightful francophone, spoke with guests. Incredible works with butterflies and flowers. The colours are wonderfully vibrant.

Sandra auctioned one of Elsa's painting; with proceeds to Hospice.

From My Muskoka

Marcel, of Imagine Wood , here chatting with customers. He donated butter knives for the gift bags we all took home. (We bought a scoop, too!)


The event was spearheaded by the affable actor turned bank manager, Kyla Taylor, of National Bank. She radiates energy and enthusiasm, a new supporter of Hospice Muskoka. I loved watching her - my actor son, I know, exhibits the same "on" qualities!

Janice Smith, and Sandra Winspear, of Hospice Muskoka worked from their office.

Many thanks to all who made this event a fine one, in Muskoka tradition!


My YouTube Video of the fun and merriment!