Flowers are present at the grand opening of the Rose Garden Hospice in Prince Albert (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

HOSPICE CARE

Recognizing the importance of end-of-life care during World Hospice Day

Oct 14, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Staff and guests at Prince Albert’s only hospice are marking World Hospice and Palliative Care Day as they reflect on the journey it took for them to get here.

World Hospice Day is on Oct. 15 this year. It is recognized annually on the second Sunday of October and pays tribute to the importance of hospice and palliative care in communities.

Prince Albert’s Rose Garden Hospice officially opened on Aug. 29 after many years of planning, designing, fundraising, and constructing.

According to Robyn, an LPN who works at the hospice, they’re currently caring for a couple of people right now.

She spoke to paNOW about why World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is important, explaining that as these centres and those who work there allow those nearing the end of their lives to find comfort and peace.

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“It also takes away from the hospital setting of being institutionalized,” she said. “Here’s it’s more of a homey feeling. We have home-cooked meals here for them, we have staff 24 hours a day that care for them.”

Robyn added that hospice care is also essential for families who are grieving and need support as well.

“It is very difficult to watch your loved one pass and be by their side. We’re not here just for the guest but here for the family as well.”

One of the objectives for the day is to raise awareness and educate the public about hospice care, dispelling myths that some may have about it.

“To let people know the difference between hospice and palliative and hospice and hospital. Just knowing that the comfort care is out there and available to our community is very important.”

According to the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA), only one in three Canadians who should be receiving palliative care has access to it. This is a particular struggle in Saskatchewan where access to palliative care is especially difficult for patients living in rural communities who don’t want to leave their home community.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com