Opening its operations during the pandemic, Nipissing Serenity Hospice has worked hard to provide palliative care in a peaceful setting for individuals in the community.
The dedicated team of physicians, nurses, personal support workers, social workers, palliative care volunteers and multi-faith chaplaincy work together, taking a compassionate and holistic approach to end-of-life palliative care.
The local hospice is a 10-bed, bilingual, residential facility that provides 24/7 palliative care.
During the holiday season, the hospice host’s a memorial celebration, where families are invited into the facility to remember their loved ones by placing a named ornament on the tree.
“When people are coming up to their final days, we want to make sure they have a choice on how to spend these days,” said Gil Pharand, Executive Director at Nipissing Serenity Hospice.
“We are inclusive and allow people the choice of where to spend those final days to pass in a dignified manner,” said Pharand.
The hospice fully operates on funding, donations and volunteered time.
The organization turns to in and out-of-house fundraisers, such as the monthly 50/50 draw, the Hike for Hospice event and business-driven fundraisers to support the facility.
“We really have to fill those funding gaps with volunteers and community fundraisers,” said Pharand, we are always looking to work with businesses and onboard volunteers for landscaping, administration, kitchen support and residence assistance”.
‘I volunteer at the Nipissing Serenity Hospice to express my gratitude to the place and people who made my mother's last days peaceful and joyful,” said Shelley King, a volunteer at Nipissing Serenity Hospice.
“Residents, no matter what their situation or illness, are all treated as individuals. They are treated with dignity and respect, something we all deserve, no matter our age or situation,” said King.
Nipissing Serenity Hospice is always looking for help to deliver compassionate end-of-life care to people in our community.
“We encourage people to visit our hospice, check out the residence and understand that this is not a place to pass, but rather a place where you live your last days,” said Pharand
Click here to learn more about how you can support Nipissing Serenity Hospice.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, click here or contact the hospice directly at 705-995-3377 or [email protected].
Visit Nipissing Serenity Hospice’s website to learn more.
