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The Essential, Compassionate Work of Nanaimo Hospice

May 6, 2024 | 9:00 AM

Dying, caregiving and grieving are three of life’s greatest challenges. Grappling with these challenges is something each of us will face.

Support during these times is something Nanaimo Community Hospice believes everyone deserves regardless of age, culture, or financial means. They offer free programs, resources, and education to our community where and when needed.

Executive director Sharon Welch joined Nanaimo Hospice in fall of 2023. She’s excited to be leading a team that does such essential work for people in our area.

“Nanaimo Community Hospice Society has an amazing team of staff and volunteers who help people live their best lives right to the end and who help families and friends through the palliative care and grieving processes,” she said. “I’m so thankful to be part of this special team!”

Along with a professional staff, Nanaimo Hospice has a highly trained group of over 150 volunteers.

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Some of these volunteers support people in their final days and moments through visitation at home or on the Palliative Care Unit at NRGH.

The care and support goes also beyond the hospital. Hospice House offers a myriad of services. These include:

• professional counselling
• 1-1 peer support
• peer support grief groups
• education programs
• wellness programs that include complimentary therapies such as reiki, meditation and much more

The services offered through Hospice House are to meet the needs of people experiencing different types of grief.

• Anticipatory Grief – Someone close to you is facing terminal illness and death
• Bereaved Current – Someone close to you has died
• Bereaved Historical – Someone close to you has died in the past and grief is resurfacing
• Palliative Diagnosis – You are facing terminal illness and death.

Grief doesn’t spare children and young people.

There are support and services available that are designed particularly for these age groups. Each year, Nanaimo Community Hospice serves over 100 children through Nanaimo school visitations in the Outreach vehicle as well as in-house appointments.

Hospice House also provides for the community through the lending library of grief and death resources. It lends out over 600 books each year.

While volunteers are a huge part of what makes these many services available, it also takes money to continue to meet the needs. The organization is partly funded through their thrift shop.

The Nanaimo Hospice Shoppe at #35 1925 Bowen Road operates solely to help fund the services and programs provided by the hospice society. Currently, more than 80 volunteers contribute over 1500 hours at the thrift shop each month.

Nanaimo Community Hospice also organizes events at various times of the year, like Hike for Hospice. This fun outing at Westwood Lake Park this May 26 is their largest fundraiser of the year.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with grief, please consider reaching out to Nanaimo Community Hospice. For ways to show your support, please visit their website.

How to contact Nanaimo Community Hospice:

Call 250-591-8811

Email info@nanaimohospice.com

Visit nanaimohospice.com