artwork . I found that the mutual support given by those who are undergoing similar experiences can be profoundly important . Even seeing each other only once a week builds strong relationships and a loving connection . Many hospices do community outreach and have volunteers visiting people in their homes as well .
WHAT DOES IT COST ? Except for oxygen supplies and their own previously prescribed medications , there is no cost to the patient in Alberta for hospice care . Everything is free ( not including the parking at some facilities ). Because there is no timeline , this holds true no matter how long the patient may be at the hospice . Typically this is days or weeks but can even run into months .
VOLUNTEERING
Hospices do need volunteers , so if you have any inclination to do this you might find it a rewarding experience . Facilities require a police check and provide quite a lot of training . I found the training itself to be fascinating and enlightening . It may sound odd , but it always felt heart-warming to walk through the big front door of the hospice . The atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive . And I found that my interactions with people in hospice often resulted in an unexpected feeling of tenderness , which was an important addition to my own life . �
Linda Pearce worked for thirty-five years at the University of Calgary , most of that time as a systems manager . She travelled widely before and after her retirement in 2003 and lived in Ontario and B . C . Now she is an Alberta Health volunteer , self-publisher , therapeutic touch practitioner , occasional editor , very amateur pianist and still a computer geek .
FURTHER READING
The Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association provides a directory by community : ahpca . ca / ahpca-directory-by-community /
MyHealth Alberta website on palliative and end-of-life care . There is a wealth of information here about resources , what to expect in someone ’ s final days , grief and bewilderment , and people ’ s stories : myhealth . alberta . ca / HealthTopics / Palliative-Care /
Alberta Health ’ s page of resources for palliative issues : albertahealthservices . ca / info / service . aspx ? id = 5307
Intercare Corporate Group Inc . is an Alberta-based organization providing health and life enrichment services in continuing care centres since 1992 . Southwood Hospice is one of their facilities . intercarealberta . com / intercare-elderly-facilities . html
The Care Guide provides a comprehensive list of Canadian facilities that offer hospice and palliative care in Alberta . Find Alberta Hospice and Palliative Care providers for your elderly relatives : thecareguide . com / providerLists / setProvinceList / AB / hospice-and-palliative-care
news & views WINTER 2017 | 45