OLDS — Demand for Olds & District Hospice Society (ODHS) services has hit 85 per cent, the highest since the society began 11 years ago, according to president Harvey Walsh.
Walsh made that announcement during the society’s annual general meeting, held recently via Zoom. Staff and board members backed it up.
Hospice care focuses on making a person’s end-of-life journey as comforting as possible.
“Demand for our services has increased to a point where it’s not unusual to have a waiting list to access our suites,” Walsh said. “Our experience with providing care to individuals in their place of residence has proven to be of benefit when the suites are full.”
A couple of times during the meeting, it was noted that demand is so high the society has created a committee to look at adding more suites to the current two in the Seasons Encore retirement facility.
“In 2021, we had a waiting list for over six consecutive months. Several of the people waiting for our suites were supported at home until the suites were available,” ODHS services coordinator Ruby Elliott said.
“Unfortunately, others passed away, not accessing hospice care in Olds and were transferred out of the community or into acute care. Others were able to pass away at home.
“As we move into the coming years, the need for hospice care will continue to grow as our population ages.”
The possibility of creating a standalone hospice facility is also being considered.
“Growing into a standalone facility may be a possibility in our future,” Walsh said, adding that a committee had been formed to look into that possibility.
Walsh also noted that during the year, the society created a new staff position — a part-time volunteer coordinator — to help cope with demand.
ODHS executive director Mary Smith said COVID-19 outbreaks continued to create challenges during the year.
For example, she said in September, the society was not able to admit clients because Seasons Encore had a COVID outbreak.
COVID restrictions also made it difficult for clients and volunteers to meet one-on-one, but the pandemic also opened more opportunities as virtual fundraisers and events received participation from around the world.
“An example is Hike For Hospice. We had people hiking in different countries and different provinces and we couldn't have done that without that inception of that virtual component,” she said.
“We’ve had several online fundraisers and we do find that we’re getting information out to reach individuals earlier in their palliative journey.
“Possibly COVID is helping people start the conversation, so they’re starting to access those resources sooner.”
Smith said the society plans to hold a new online memorial ceremony this February to help people feel “a little more supported with their bereavement.”
“We’ve had 100 per cent positive reviews from all of our services provided, so that’s pretty exciting,” she said.
The society’s Nav-CARE program has also been a great success.
The purpose of that program is to improve the lives of people living with chronic or terminal illness by connecting them to community services and resources. At the same time, volunteers provide caring, compassionate emotional and social support to clients.
“We’ve seen the growth of the Nav-CARE program and we’re really seeing it benefit the people in the community,” Smith said.
“We’ve had an increase in volunteers that just want to help. They want to be a part of helping people in isolation through our Nav-CARE program.”
