The Wheatland & Area Hospice Society (WAHS) has now raised close to $2 million to go towards offering programs, services and a new hospice facility to serve patients and their families in the Wheatland County region.
We spoke with President Dr. Joni McNeely about the current state of fundraising for the new hospice, upcoming events and their partnership with the Wheatland Housing Management Board.
In terms of fundraising, the President says they have just completed a very successful fundraising season.
Two community events included the annual Farming For Hospice and Drew Gregory Hospice Harvest wrap-up concert.
“At this point in time our assets are over $2 million, and we're estimating that the capital build will be about $2.7 million.”
The society maintains a partnership with the Wheatland Housing Management Board, that group has plans to construct a new seniors lodge within the community.
A visit to the hospice society website revealed a design proposal for the new hospice, which outlines the scope of the project, estimates of beds, staffing requirements and layout of the proposed building.
“It really lays out what the Hospice would look like and how it will be unique and different and what services it will provide,” she explained. McNeely noted that approximately $11 million in funding has been released by the government for palliative care in Alberta and the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society has applied for funding as well.
A few upcoming events in 2022 are the annual Hike For Hospice, which they hope will be in-person and held at Kinsmen Park. In addition to Farming For Hospice which is also held annually in partnership with Nutrien and local volunteers.
“We have three pillars, which are people, programs and places. With regards to the first two pillars, which is the people and programs, we are ongoing with our outreach program and it's been very successful with our palliative navigator,” she said.
“Our respite volunteer provides services in the home in the hospital and just new in January, we'll be providing respite services in Sagewood,” she revealed.
“The intent of that is both the navigator and the respite is to lessen caregiver burden and to improve the palliative journey for families and patients,” said McNeely. “We're excited that we're able to offer that programming and services to all aspects of Wheatland County. in the home, in the hospital, in the facilities.”
In the meantime, there are also two new additions to the Board of Directors for Wheatland and Area Hospice Society, Jacy Rapke and Joanne Clark.
With things continuing to move in a positive direction for the hospice society, McNeely reminds individuals that the hospice is not just a building.
“Everybody really focuses on the building, but we also have to keep in mind that palliative care is more than the building. It is providing the services and the programs. Trying to keep people in their homes as long as possible so we have value for the community, even if we don't have the building in place yet,” said McNeely.
Find out more about the Wheatland & Area Hospice Society by visiting https://www.wheatlandhospice.ca/
Fri, May 3, 10:00 AM
