The Stettler Hospice Society paid a visit to town council in March to update them on the work they’ve been up to recently.
Since visiting council in 2019, they’ve established a two bedroom suite at Points West Living for families & patients at the end of life. The idea is to provide a home-like setting in their final days, while also having medical staff on hand.
The suite costs about $60,000 a year to operate, with an annual fundraising goal of $70,000 through events like the Hike For Hospice, bingos, raffles and online auction at Christmas time.
In particular, the society wanted to visit the council to request advocacy assistance in dealing with provincial ministers & Alberta Health Services to ensure the suite is being used regularly.
As a patient needs to be at the end of life to qualify for the suite, there is paperwork involved between doctors & pharmacists to enter hospice care. Oftentimes, if a terminal patient ends up in an emergency room, they’ll be placed in palliative care at the hospital, taking up an acute care bed if they stay long term.
Simply put, the Stettler Hospice Society wants to get the message out there that the suite is an option, but it’s a process families need to start before the final days.
Following the presentation, Mayor Sean Nolls agreed with the need to appeal to both the province and AHS to ensure hospice admission is not being held up by paperwork, especially if it can help reduce costs & strain on the local healthcare system.
Hometown Media Stettler toured the hospice suite earlier this month, which you can read more about here:
The society also offers a “Hospice at Home” program, where trained volunteers assist patients within their own homes.
They can also help families with finding religious services near the end of life, as well as grief counseling once a loved one has passed.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
