The Prince George Hospice Society is expanding its list of services.
Two new programs, Coffee for the Caregiver and Virtual Hospice, are now being offered, as well as an enhanced version of the Community Match program.
“We looked and did an analysis of the community and we identified that caregivers, people that are at home taking care of loved ones, were needing support,” PG Hospice Society Executive Director Donna Flood explains of the Coffee for the Caregiver program.
“Either they were needing to meet up with other people or to be educated on what to expect.”
Virtual Hospice will utilize iPads and tablets to provide face-to-face care. The hospice society will continue to offer the Community Match program which matches volunteers to people who are alone both in their own home and in hospital.
“What we’re trying to get people to understand is hospice is about how we care, not where we care,” says Flood.
“Hospice could be that you’re suffering a serious illness, you may not be dying but you still require that supportive care that hospice gives.”
Funding was provided by two donors. The Sovereign Order of St. John gives annual funding, this time totaling $5,000, for research and review. The Northern Health Authority gave a one-time fund of $100,000 to support the programs. An extra part-time worker will be funded by the extra money, as well as manuals for volunteer education and bringing awareness. Wood Wheaton Honda also provided a vehicle so workers can get into the community.