About Us

History

The history of the word "hospice' stems from the Latin word 'hospitium' meaning guesthouse. It was originally used to describe a place of shelter for weary and sick travelers returning home from religious pilgrimages. During the 1960's, Dr. Cicely Saunders, a British doctor, began the modern hospice movement by establishing St. Christopher's House near London, England. St. Christopher's staff organized a team approach to professional care giving and was the first program to use modern pain management techniques to compassionately care for the dying. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity while addressing all symptoms of the illness.

For the past twenty-five years, Hospice Wellington has provided compassionate care, emotional support and practical assistance to individuals and families facing a life-threatening illness, extending through bereavement. In 1980, Hospice Wellington was created as the result of several concerned citizens who believed that services in the community did not adequately met the needs of individuals who were in their last stages of life. Hospice Wellington is a registered charity that runs primarily through private donations and fundraising initiatives. Further, funding is provided by the United Way, the Trillium Foundation and the provincial government. The Rotary Clubs of Guelph and Fergus-Elora were instrumental in supporting Hospice Wellington's establishment and growth.

In October of 2001, Hospice Wellington opened a North Wellington office in Mount Forest. This centre offers a place for individuals and families to receive palliative and bereavement support with programs similar to those offered in Guelph and Fergus.

Hospice Wellington is a volunteer centered organization. Client volunteers undertake an intensive training course, interviews, police and reference checks. Hospice volunteers are part of an interdisciplinary team that includes the family, physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors and other professionals. Care is provided at home, in the hospital and in specialized facilities such as nursing homes. Hospice volunteers care for people of all ages, backgrounds and with all types of illnesses.

Hospice Care

All Hospice Wellington services are non-denominational and are offered free of charge. Hospice care means caring for the whole person and for his or her loved ones through one-to-one support, groups and therapeutic programs. Hospice Wellington provides:

• Emotional Support: Providing sensitive listening and non-judgmental discussion are an important part of hospice care. Support can include: encouraging clients to take active roles in their own care, sharing an activity, holding a hand and discussing illness openly.

• Respite Care: Caring for an ill person is rewarding but very draining both physically and emotionally. By having a hospice volunteer in the home, a caregiver can take care of himself or herself also.

• Bereavement Support: Hospice Wellington provides one-to-one and group support to assist clients through the grieving process.

• Collaboration and Coordination with Other Agencies: One of the most important parts of the hospice philosophy is the emphasis on building an interdisciplinary team. Hospice Wellington works with home care agencies, hospitals, physicians and other community organizations.

Hospice Wellington's Mission

Hospice Wellington is given direction by a volunteer Board of Directors, staff and volunteers. Hospice Wellington's mission is to provide:

• Compassionate care, emotional support and assistance to individuals and their families who are facing the crisis of a life threatening or terminal illness;

• Bereavement support on a short term basis, with subsequent referral to the appropriate support agency if required;

• Training and support for volunteers as they provide care;

• Encouragement for the integration of hospice care principles into all health care delivery systems and leadership in the evolution of palliative and bereavement support in the community;

• A program of public awareness and support for the goals and services of Hospice Wellington with a speakers bureau, lending library and workshops;

• A business organization that will ensure the realization of the vision of Hospice Wellington in a financially responsible manner.

Board of Directors 2007-2008

• Chair:
  Elizabeth Fisk

• Past Chair:
  Sonia Spekkens

• Vice Chair:
  Jim MacKenzie

• Treasurer/Secretary
  Lori Halliday

• Directors:
  Ron Dolynchuk
  Susan Farrelly
  Sally Hickson
  Gloria Kovach
  Barbara Leslie
  Rino Salvador
  Rita Sharratt
  Andre Spekkens
  Elizabeth Stinson
  
  

Newsletters 2006, 2007 and 2008

Staff Members