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 Hospice
Northwest is an incorporated, not for profit charity, dedicated
to the volunteer visiting component within the continuum of
palliative care services offered throughout the District of
Thunder Bay. Volunteers are recruited, screened and trained
according to provincial and national standards, to provide
compassionate support to palliative clients and their family
members or informal caregivers.
Clients of Hospice Northwest are persons
who are living with the challenges of a serious illness for
which there is no expectation of cure.
- Referrals are accepted for any person who wishes to access
the service.
- Services are not disease specific and are available at no
charge to anyone with a life threatening illness.
- If a client’s illness stabilizes, the situation may
be re-assessed after six months to determine appropriateness.
- Hospice Northwest volunteers may be dedicated companions
for up to three years, and they also provide support at the
bedside of an actively dying person.
- Visiting occurs wherever the client is, and referrals may
originate in community, acute care hospitals, chronic care
facilities and long term care facilities.
- Satellite programs are established in Nipigon, Terrace Bay/Schreiber,
Marathon, Manitouwadge, Geraldton and Longlac.
In order to conform to the standards of the Hospice Association
of Ontario, Hospice Northwest volunteers
are screened through a process, which includes a written application,
personal interview, character references and a police records
check. All volunteers must complete 36 hours of intense training
and sign an oath of confidentiality before being introduced
to a client or caregiver. The role of the volunteer is to
take direction from the client or family member, maintaining
a client directed focus at all times.
- Confidentiality is assured.
- Volunteers are trained to understand the spiritual issues
facing their clients, but do not discuss religion unless requested
to do so.
- Typically, the role includes: listening to the fears and
anxiety of the dying person, social visiting, accompanying
client to appointments, running errands, writing letters,
advocacy, and supporting family members.
- Respite is provided for family members who don’t
want their loved one left alone.
- One to one bereavement support is also available to anyone
who chooses this intervention, regardless of how or when their
loved one died.
For chronically ill individuals and their caregivers, Hospice
Northwest offers a unique support group called the Circle
of Friends. This bi-weekly features peer support, holistic
treatments by qualified practitioners of therapeutic touch
and reiki, meditation and group discussion. Refreshments are
served and transportation is organized. A promotional video
of this program is available for viewing, upon request.
As an integral partner in the provision of hospice palliative
care in Northwestern Ontario, Hospice Northwest works in collaboration
with other partners to provide the best quality of support
possible to persons at the end of life. Clients receiving
care in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre may be
referred through the Palliative Care Clinician, baileys@tbh.net,
the Supportive Care department of the Northwestern Ontario
Regional Cancer Centre, sellicks@tbh.net,
or any staff member who wishes to call directly.
To contact Hospice Northwest, please visit the office which
is situated on the third floor of the Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre, or call (807) 684-7320.
Joan Williams
Administrator, Hospice Northwest
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Office #3144
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 6V4
Phone: (807) 684-7320
Fax: (807) 684-5810
Email: williamj@tbh.net
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