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Hospice Simcoe continues to offer virtual, online support amid pandemic

Visitors have been restricted, but staff say they are working hard to support and care for residents and their family members during this time
Hospice Simcoe Photo
Photo provided by Hospice Simcoe.

NEWS RELEASE
HOSPICE SIMCOE
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Hospice Simcoe is here to provide support. We are adapting to this new normal and are finding new and different ways to continue supporting our community. The health, safety and well-being of our clients, residents, visitors, volunteers and staff are of the utmost importance to us. Hospice Simcoe is very closely following the emergence and development of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Programs are up and running as we move to virtual/online and phone support. We are continuing to provide one-to-one and group bereavement support, working together with our volunteers and clients. Our support groups, such as Mindfulness Meditation will have its first virtual session through Zoom on March 31 and it is open to our community, clients, families, volunteers and staff – all are welcome.

“Caregivers, and those who are grieving a loss often struggle to manage their emotions. In the midst of a global crisis, these feelings can be amplified. Through our online groups, our clients have expressed gratitude for having a place “just for them” to connect and to be real about their struggles," said Amy Pritzker, Bereavement Coordinator.

Our Residential Program will remain open with continued precautionary measures. We are restricting visitors to our residence but working hard to support and care for our residents and their families through this journey.

“We need to continue to support our clients, residents and family’s by continuing to provide high quality palliative care and bereavement support through this unprecedented critical time," said Kelly Hubbard, Executive Director.

“It is heartbreaking to have to keep our doors closed to the usual beautiful hustle and bustle of family, friends, visitors and our volunteers, who fill our residence with love, hugs, laughter and a comforting presence. In light of this loss, we feel it has been a warm ray of sunshine to see all the visitors who are coming to our windows to visit the residents and their family members who are with us.  Family, friends, loved ones and pets are welcome to come by for window visits and they are so appreciated! To all of our Hospice families, volunteers and staff, it is of great importance to us that you know that we are still here for you," said Lori Scholten-Dallimore, Spiritual Care Coordinator.

Stay in touch with us. We will continue to provide updates on our social media platforms and our website about what programs we are offering and how we are moving forward at this time.

The Hospice Simcoe Community Support Program is continuing to offer support virtually and by phone. We want to ensure the community knows we are here to help. Please call us at 705-725-1140.  We are all in this together and it is important to be here and take care of one another.

All of our programs and services – residential hospice, visiting hospice and bereavement support are provided at no cost.  We rely on donations, including memorial gifts, general donations and third-party events for over 50 per cent of our operating costs.  Thank you to our community for their ongoing support.

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