Hospice south of Calgary doubling capacity to support growing demand

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The Foothills Nation Hospice Society (FCHS) close to Okotoks is doubling capability to help extra compassionate, dignified, and respectful end-of-life journeys.

The $7.15-million enlargement will see the power develop by eight beds to a complete of 16 and also will include a brand new gathering area, upgraded kitchen, and a room for personal grief counselling.

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Based on FCHS govt director Shaun Dyer, the enlargement is a response to the rising want for hospice care within the Okotoks space, but additionally out of Calgary, the place 55 per cent of their sufferers come from.

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“The hospice motion is in larger want in Alberta than ever earlier than, with an getting older inhabitants and stress on acute care amenities,” stated Dyer.

With focused completion in January 2025, the 12,000-square-foot enlargement and renovation of the present area is an element of a bigger $15-million marketing campaign to construct on their grief help providers and create long-term stability.

“Folks with a terminal prognosis are overwhelmed with issues like appointments, uncertainty, stress, ache,” stated Dyer. “We offer individuals the chance to only be, and be with their household whereas they’re of their final days.”

Gregg Percival stated goodbye to his spouse Benita at FCHS in September 2023. Benita was recognized with a uncommon and debilitating neurological dysfunction in 2010, which finally took her life.

“We didn’t understand how a lot time she would have, or the rest, as a result of no person might actually inform us that,” stated Gregg.

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Gregg cared for Benita during the practically 13 years from when she was recognized till she obtained into FCHS in her final two months.

“Over the past in all probability six or eight months is when the circumstances actually went downhill in a rush,” he stated.

Within the interval earlier than Benita was delivered to the hospice Gregg had 4 individuals serving to look after her at house, as a result of she required 24/7 care.

Along with her care wants being so excessive, Gregg stated he was getting just a little worn out as her main caregiver.

When the chance arose to get Benita into hospice care at FCHS, Gregg stated he didn’t know a lot about hospices usually, past them being for end-of-life conditions.

“I’d heard just a little bit about Foothills Nation Hospice, and heard how nice it was, nevertheless it wasn’t till I skilled it’s once I discovered all these issues are true.”

Gregg stated that a whole lot of locations supply care and compassion, however FCHS delivers a lot extra.

“Every little thing the hospice did for us — myself and my household — it was simply fully prime shelf, I couldn’t say sufficient good about what they’ve executed,” he stated.

Employees from the hospice have been in contact to verify in with Gregg since Benita died, and he’s even stopped by in individual a number of instances.

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“Their care of Benita was overwhelming, however what they did for myself, and the remainder of our household was simply extraordinary.”

FCHS has served greater than 1,400 residents for end-of-life care since 2008, which along with family members make up an estimated 6,500 individuals.

Alberta Well being Providers offers 57 per cent of the whole operational funding for the power, and the rest comes from group endowment proceeds.

“We actually imagine in taking the hospice past the partitions of the hospice, and into the group,” stated Dyer.

“I foresee the hospice motion being an more and more necessary a part of the health-care system in Alberta.”

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