Palliative care is community care.

Dr. Joni McNeely, president of the Wheatland & Area Hospice Society gave town council an update on the progress of the hospice society and spoke of their plans moving forward.

She also spoke of the need to improve end-of-life care overall.

McNeely revealed that in the space of five years they have raised $2.1-million from donations. “people here give from their hearts when it really counts,” she said.

She spoke of their three pillars people, programs, and places. She noted that they are right now providing hospice without walls.

“In actual fact, people really focus on the Hospice building, but in actual fact, we are providing hospice palliative care now,” she said.

She emphasized that the hospice is not like a palliative care bed in a hospital. It’s a place for people to come and have some enjoyment at the end of their life and a space to support social workers, psychologists, and a social gathering place.

Mayor Pat Fule thanked everyone who was involved in bringing the hospice society to where it is today.

“It’s just been an exciting progression to watch because you've gone from a fledgling society that has been very successful fundraising over the last several years,”  said Fule.

“COVID came along and disrupted a lot of different people in a lot of different situations and events, but the growth in your organization has been amazing and I just think that this is going to be an amazing thing for our community,” he said.  He also spoke of the progression of the relationship with the Wheatland Housing Management Board and plans for a new seniors lodge with an attached Hospice.