Sunshine Coast Hospice
Hospice House, 4602 Simpkins Road V0N 3A2 Sechelt, BC, Canada

Join the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association on November 15 at 4 PM PST for an online, cross-country musical journey to acknowledge the grief suffered by so many Canadians during the pandemic. There have been so many heartbreaking stories of families who were unable to say goodbye due to extreme restrictions on end-of-life visitations. As a result of these restrictions during the pandemic, many people who have lost a loved one have not been able to say goodbye, visit, and in many cases have a proper funeral or celebration of life. This virtual concert is just one beautiful way for families to say goodbye.

During her recent visit to Hospice House, one of our volunteers remarked that she used to look at her calendar in her kitchen, and that it would be filled with so many upcoming events and activities to look forward to. For the past several months, however, her calendar has looked...well, empty. The Covid pandemic has amplified the challenge of social isolation, which has greatly impacted seniors in our community. Did you know that in a recently published report by five loca...l community foundations called, "A Vital Exploration 2020," they found that Sunshine Coast residents have a higher-than average number of seniors living alone? The total estimate is 27% out of 8,690 seniors who have been living alone during this pandemic. On this frigid Monday afternoon, consider making a call or a physically distanced visit to a senior in your life, and asking them how they're doing? We're all in this together.

This month, we would like to recognize Bruce Etches for his compassion and commitment to Sunshine Coast Hospice Society (SCHS) over the years. Bruce has been an integral part of the organization, working both one-on-one with clients and on the board. Bruce relayed his experience with us about working in Hospice, Being with people who are in the process of dying or are bereaved, I've notice that they are their most real selves. Things that are the most real, are clear. It is... a very special and unique time. Prior to retirement, Bruce was a Clinical Psychologist and he's utilized his expertise to help the community through volunteering at Hospice, I really enjoyed working as a psychologist, it was a real privilege to work with people in hard times. After having retired for a couple years, I thought about volunteering and Hospice seemed like a natural fit. After the death of my wife, that provided me with a bit of experience. It almost feels like having been through that experience, you have a responsibility to help others if you know what it’s like. It’s important to step up. Bruce’s dream for Hospice consists of a new facility that can ensure that anybody that wants to pass away in Hospice is able to, paired with strong support for end-of-life care of individuals and their primary caregivers. He feels that Hospice sheds light on issues around death that are otherwise swept under the rug. So what brought Bruce to the Sunshine Coast? Bruce always wanted to live by the ocean and was drawn to the Coast for this reason. He finds joy in multiple activities particularly kayaking, an activity he likes to do almost every day! Bruce also spends time hiking, practicing yoga, and playing pickleball with various groups. At one point during his career, Bruce also had a farm where he raised sheep. He playfully added, "I had much more energy then!" We asked Bruce what superpower he would have if he could choose? He shared, "I would like everyone to know the power of kindness," and he shared a favorite quote by Alice Childress, Life is just a short walk from the cradle to the grave, and it sure behooves us to be kind to one another along the way." Thank you, Bruce for your wonderful gifts to Hospice, and we extend our deepest thanks to all our volunteers for your continued gifts of time - one of life's most precious commodities - to Hospice.

Would you like to participate in our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM)? The date of the AGM is coming up on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, from 7 to 8pm. Participation is open to our annual members for $20 and entitles you to have a say in the election of Directors and a say in our society. It also ensures that you are invited to all our public education events and workshops. Upon purchasing a membership, we will send you a link to the password protected Zoom meeting. You ca...n purchase your membership on-line at https://coasthospice.com/how-you-can-help/become-member/, via cheque through Canada Post or in-person at Hospice House (please follow all COVID safety precautions and procedures posted). Please contact us at 604-740-0475 for any questions about our meeting or membership!

One of our wonderful volunteers, Heather Conn posted this poem on her Facebook page. It is a beautiful expression of the act of grief and bereavement support. Do you have your own favorite quote or book on grief or bereavement? Please share it with us below. If you're looking for a good book to read these days, why not stop by for a visit at our Kate Webb Library? You can search our library of 300+ books at this link: https://coasthospice.libib.com/

Thank you to the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation for publishing this blog article on the Jack & Sheila Carlson Family Endowment for Sunshine Coast Hospice Society. "When Jack and Sheila witnessed how hospice specialized in easing the pain, discomfort, and distress that [her sister] Kathie experienced, and how her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs were taken care of, they knew they had found the organization that they wanted to support." You can read about Jack & S...heila's heartbreaking story of family loss and their mantra for giving back at the link below: https://www.sccfoundation.com//jack-and-sheila-carlson-fam