New outdoor visiting space for hospice

Hospice Prince Edward celebrated the opening of an outdoor visiting space with direct access to residential rooms that avoids common areas.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith, board members, staff, and builder Chris Koopmans officially opened the space which was funded by a $30,000 grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund.

“Interactions with loved ones are an important part of palliative care, both for people who are dying and their families and caregivers,” said Smith. “This outdoor visiting space – supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation – is a real enhancement to Hospice Prince Edward’s residence. It will provide greater flexibility for visits, while promoting infection control through reduced traffic in indoor common areas.”

Hospice palliative care is aimed at relieving suffering and improving the quality of life for people who are living with, or dying from, advanced illness or who are bereaved.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Hospice to implement a restrictive visitor policy, to help keep families safe.

“Our goal is for families to be together at end of life if that is what they choose, and turning loved ones away is contrary to our mission here,” said Melanie Dailey, Hospice’s community development director. “We also determined that if we could limit access to our common areas in the residence, we could better control and prevent infection from spreading.”