CK Hospice Supportive Care Staff. Melissa Cadarette (front left), Candace Rahn, Bridget Murphy (back row), Sally Reaume. (Photo courtesy of the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.)CK Hospice Supportive Care Staff. Melissa Cadarette (front left), Candace Rahn, Bridget Murphy (back row), Sally Reaume. (Photo courtesy of the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.)
Chatham

CK Hospice able to provide more programs

Some programs and services are expanding at the Chatham-Kent Hospice because of a growing need for support within the community.

After receiving a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, a Wellness Program was launched last year to help people who suffer from complex grief. The Hospice Foundation then received another funding boost of $325,900 at the beginning of 2019 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant.

Sally Reaume, supportive care program coordinator, said the funding allowed them to hire two more full-time staff, which in turn helps them expand their programs and services.

She said in the spring, they launched a healing yoga program, a walking group, and a healing art program, which will again be offered in the fall along with some other programs. Coffee Talk drop-in sessions will be held every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in partnership with Family Services Kent.

"Those are times for individuals to come and share their experience of loss and maybe gain some strategies to cope," said Reaume.

The Hospice will also offer a Caregiver Night Out program on the third Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. This program allows caregivers the opportunity to be cared for by healing professionals.

The funding from their latest grant will extend until January of 2021, and Reaume said they're already looking at avenues so they can continue to offer these programs in the future.

Based on some of the feedback regarding the Wellness Program, Hospice staff have received constructive feedback to further develop and enhance their services.

"We've really had a great response from people in that they're so appreciative that this service is offered at no cost," said Reaume. "Many people may not be able to access these services or sometimes there are waitlists at other areas so currently, we have no waitlist."

Chatham-Kent residents interested in the services offered through the Wellness Program also do not need referrals. However, people are asked to pre-register if they plan on attending programs. Pre-registration can be done directly with Reaume by calling 519-354-3113 ext. 2406 or by email at sreaume@chathamkenthospice.com.

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