NEWS RELEASE
HOSPICE NIAGARA
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Niagara Region’s Corporate Services Committee has strengthened a commitment to making hospice palliative care more accessible for people and families across Niagara.
Funding to support the expansion of Hospice Niagara’s services through two new Hospice Palliative Care Centres of Excellence was approved by the Corporate Services Committee at its meeting on Wednesday.
Members voted unanimously to approve an investment of $4 million that will ensure more people than ever continue to receive the high quality of care they deserve for generations to come.
“We commend the committee members’ vision and leadership,” said Carol Nagy, executive director of Hospice Niagara. “It’s important that every person across our region has access to exceptional hospice palliative care, closer to where they live, at a time in life when they need it most.”
Hospice Niagara continues to plan for the new Centres of Excellence, co-located with long-term care homes — Gilmore Lodge in Fort Erie and Foyer Richelieu in Welland. The expansion will add 20 new hospice beds for people and families across the region, in addition to the existing 10 beds in St. Catharines.
“This expansion is monumental for Niagara,” said Welland Mayor Frank Campion. “We have created great care pathways for people from birth and throughout their lives. As a compassionate society we owe it to our community to provide the same dignified care at end of life.”
As well, locating hospice care within Foyer Richelieu will improve end-of-life care experiences for the Francophone community, by supporting people in their first language, he said.
“The new Hospice Niagara facilities will permit this organization to continue its compassionate care for individuals and families facing end-of-life realities,” said Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop. “The new facilities will be part of an integrated health care system serving the residents of all of Niagara, helping to make Niagara a more livable community for everyone.”
Hospice palliative care helps people live well from the time of diagnosis with a terminal illness, at end of life and while grieving a death. Hospice Niagara provides this specialized care with compassion and dignity for people, caregivers and family members at home and in the hospice residence, free of cost.
“No one needs to do this alone,” said Nagy. “We are here to help no matter what life presents.”
Hospice care plays an important role in taking pressure off hospital acute care beds and ending hallway medicine, while providing substantial savings to the health care system. When people are supported by a team of hospice care professionals and trained volunteers, there are overall fewer crisis visits to the ER and admissions to hospital.
The committee’s support, along with investments from local governments and community leaders, will ensure that hospice care is accessible and closer to home for more people and families during one of the most vulnerable times in life.
Hospice Niagara must raise $14 million through its capital fundraising campaign, Close to Home. Construction is set to begin in Welland, in spring 2022, and Fort Erie a year later, in spring 2023.
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