Hospice Simcoe
336 Penetanguishene Rd. L4M7C2 Barrie, ON, Canada

Have you registered for this year's Hike? We want to extend our thanks to Kiwanis Club Of Barrie for their support as a returning sponsor of the Hike for Hospice. Online registration is LIVE and you can collect pledges in support of the Hike and Hospice Simcoe from now until the end of May.... For more information, visit our website . WHO ARE YOU HIKING FOR?

We want to extend our thanks to Purehealth Pharmacy for their support as a returning sponsor of the Hike for Hospice. Who are you hiking for? This year’s event is Virtual and runs from May 2 - 31. We hope you will be joining us by walking, biking, dancing or whatever other activity you enjoy. Online registration is live and you can collect pledges in support of the Hike and Hospice Simcoe from now until the end of May. For more information, you can visit our website https://hospicesimcoe.ca/fundraising.../hike-for-hospice/

Hiker Highlight! We shared about Marjan, a Hospice Simcoe volunteer and dedicated Hiker over on our Hike event page. We are so grateful for everyone who supports our HIke and Hospice Simcoe each and every year.... We hope you'll join us this year (virtually) from May 2 - 31. To read about Marjan and for more information about our Hike, visit the Hike event page or our website. Who are you 'hiking' for?

Today is National Caregivers Day. We recognize all of the incredible work of caregivers in our community. Being a caregiver can be one of the most profound and challenging experiences, along with being one of the most rewarding. ... At Hospice Simcoe we recognize today and always that being a caregiver is work of the heart and want to let all caregivers know that you are not alone in your journey. Hospice Simcoe has been formally providing support for those who are caregiving for someone with a life-limiting illness in group and 1:1 settings. Please reach out for support to Danielle at 705-725-1140 ext 404. Thank you to all of the caregivers! We see you and we appreciate you.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM No registration required! Just use this link to join us at the day and time of the event: https://zoom.us/j/99742511542 Our panelists will share information, experiences and strategies on supporting staff/colleagues who are anticipating, or have experienced the death of a loved one. We will be exploring how grief, and caregiving can impact the workplace and what you can do to provide support.

We are hiring! Do you believe you would be a good fit for Hospice Simcoe? We are looking for a caring, compassionate Health Care Professional to join our team.... The Personal Support Worker (PSW) is responsible for providing assistance with all activities of daily living, as well as providing end-of-life care to residents, and their families. The PSW will foster an environment that is safe and home-like. For the full job posting, visit our website. Resumes to be received by 1700hr on Friday, April 16th, 2021 https://hospicesimcoe.ca//Casual-PSW-Posting-April-2021_-0

December 21 is the first day of winter and longest night of the year. People in our community will die without a home this year. While we must try to prevent the loss of every life, we also need to recognize the reality of conditions that individuals experiencing homelessness face and plan to memorialize them on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. In partnership with Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH), we are hosting a Memorial Service for members of our community who died while experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit our website: https://hospicesimcoe.ca/pro/homeless-memorial-day-service/

Joe and Linda Winson dropped off a generous donation of $1,000 from the Police Retirees of Ontario. Thank you for your support!

Bonnie Neely and Brenda Quinlan from Senior Wish Association came by our Residence and kindly donated three poinsettias, delicious Christmas cookies and Christmas ornaments for our residents rooms. We are very grateful for your ongoing support.

If a Christmas tree is what you need, look no further than Downtown Barrie. Located in Meridian Place, the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) Noella Tree & Wreath Lot will feature Christmas trees and wreaths available for purchase on Saturday, November 28th, Saturday, December 5th and Saturday, December 12th from 11am until 3pm. Christmas Trees $60.00... Christmas Wreaths $35.00 CASH ONLY All proceeds to go to Hospice Simcoe. See more

Our programs are led by the Community Support Programs team and facilitated by highly trained staff and volunteers. We offer a variety of Bereavement Support Groups for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one, as well as Day Programs for those living with a life limiting illness and their caregivers. The programs we offer are for registered clients. This support is available whether or not you have had previous contact with Hospice Simcoe. If you are interested in one of ...our groups or programs, please contact our team at 705-725-1140. https://hospicesimcoe.ca/community-programs/

Children's Grief Awareness Day is designed to help us all become more aware of the needs of grieving children and of the benefits they obtain through the support of others. Children's Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to make sure that grieving children receive the support they need. For more information and helpful resources, visit www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org Hospice Simcoe can help by offering individual peer support for the children and teens across Simcoe County at no cost. Hospice also provides information and tools for the caregivers so they can confidently help their children and teens through this journey of grief. https://hospicesimcoe.ca/com/children-and-teen-bereavement/

Join Amy Pritzker, Hospice Simcoe Bereavement Coordinator for an informative conversation about the loss of our old normal, loss of our coping strategies, our inability to plan and how do we stay well through the next phase of uncertainty in a pandemic. Our YouTube channel provides videos and resources around palliative care, living with life limiting illnesses, death and bereavement. This platform allows us to share educational videos and create awareness that extends beyond our community. You will find video recordings of virtual presentations on different topics around palliative care, testimonials and personal experiences, and presentations from our staff and volunteers. We invite you to subscribe to our channel to stay connected and be notified whenever we upload a new video.

When a friend or family member loses someone and you want to be there to support them, it can be difficult at times to know what to say or do. Today is Children's Grief Awareness Day. Here is a helpful tip sheet to help a friend in need.

@931 Fresh Radio (Presented by The Peggy Hill Team) & 101.1 BIG FM are hosting a Text-A-Thon in support of Hospice Simcoe! There's still time to donate! Until October 31st, you can text in to donate, to help raise much needed funds for Hospice Simcoe. Text 'HOSPICE' to 41010... You will then receive a reply asking what amount you wish to donate: $5, $10 or $20. Thank you for your support! #texttogive

The Hitch House owner Tom Stoate dropped by with a $5,000 donation. Gratefully receiving this generous donation is Marilyn Guest, Fund Development Manager. We are grateful for many years of support from everyone at the Hitch House!

One of the greatest gifts is to learn from one another. To be informed by another person’s perspective, culture or faith tradition is both enriching and heart-opening. This quote is by Richard Wagamese who is a writer from the Ojibway tradition. I walk with the scars of a lifetime of living. Some were self-inflicted wounds. Some were caused by others. Either way, they mark the trajectory of six decades of experience with the ins and outs, ups and downs, doubts and uncertai...nties of my relationship with living. They mark the territory of my being. I don’t regret a single one of them now. In fact, I am thankful for them. My scars have the strange ability to remind me that my past was real, and what is real offers knowledge, understanding and an ultimate forgiveness. To me, this quote is spiritual wisdom at its best: learning from our past experiences with a view to growing. Allowing ourselves to be changed by the insight found in those experiences. Often we see our wounds and our scars as weakness, something to hide and forget in order to save face or be at peace. But the opposite is true. The more we try to escape them, the more power they will have over our every decision and how we feel about ourselves. Instead, like Wagamese so beautifully conveys, to come to peace with them is to face them head on, accept them as part of our past and let them inform how we live now and in the future. Try, this week, to give thanks for all aspects of your lifethe ups and the downs, the good, the badlove your scars-- and allow some healing to begin. -Lori, Spiritual Care Coordinator Spiritual Care Week

Angus Firefighters Association teamed up with Redline Brewhouse to host a Scotch tasting event - Noses and Hoses, for us earlier this year. Darci Williams, the owner of Redline Brewhouse is also a volunteer firefighter for Essa Township, Angus station. We thank them for their ongoing support. Cathy Charlton, our Executive Coordinator gratefully accepts this gift.

Hospice Simcoe’s Living Well program is available to individuals diagnosed with a life limiting illness. This weekly program gives participants an opportunity to connect with others in a group setting, while enjoying treats, conversation, activities and occasionally guest speakers. This group will take place in person at our Community Support location (130 Bell Farm Rd, Unit 1, Barrie). The health, safety and well-being of our clients, residents, visitors, volunteers and staf...f are of the utmost importance to us. Hospice Simcoe is very closely following the emergence and development of COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any questions or to register, please contact our Community Care Coordinator, Danielle Marshall, BSW, RSW: 705-725-1140 | [email protected] https://hospicesimcoe.ca/pr/living-well-program/2020-11-18/

For each death in Canada, it is said to impact the well being of an additional five people on average. To put this in perspective, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association reports that more than 1.25 million Canadians are impacted by grief annually. That is a significant amount of our fellow Canadians bereaved. Grief is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. It can turn a person’s world upside down and create a pain so deep that it can feel unb...earable to face; a pain you never forget. It is not something that can be overcome or something you get over, rather it is an experience that prompts you to forge ahead with your life and establish a new normal one that does not physically include your person. It is not all doom and gloom though; with support from friends, family and/or professionals, grief is something that can help people re-connect with themselves, discover strengths they never knew they had and foster personal growth. If you or someone you know is grieving the death of a person in your world, Hospice Simcoe is here for you. We offer supports that speak to people’s various needs such as one to one support, psychoeducational as well as peer support groups, as well as informative workshops on grief and bereavement. For more information please contact our Bereavement team at (705) 725-1140 or browse our website at www.hospicesimcoe.ca

SUPPORT IN YOUR HOME Hospice Simcoe’s Visiting Hospice Service is a valuable part of the Palliative approach to care in the community. Our trained volunteers add to the support provided by your care circle and provide non-medical support in the comfort of your own home. To learn more about this program, you can visit our website where you will find examples of support, next steps, FAQs (frequently asked questions) and who to contact on our team.... https://hospicesimcoe.ca/community-progra/visiting-hospice/ See more

Little Makers Simcoe recently hosted a fundraiser for Hospice Simcoe. They sold heARTs for Hospice craft kits for kids. Corinne dropped by today with the proceeds $330. Thanks Corinne and thanks to all the young artists!

We are retiring a quilt we have used for may years during our Walk of Life Ceremony, where we honour those who have spent their final days and weeks with us. It has been replaced by two beautiful quilts that will provide the same comfort and meaning for residents and families moving forward. Our Properties Coordinator, Dan, wrote a beautiful poem in tribute to this much loved quilt. "I sit here quietly waiting. Neatly folded, starry-eyed, waiting to be called to action. I have touched many people and been embraced by most. I have seen many tears, witnessed moments of anger and despair. At times there have been bells, music, singing and even prayers; some laughter and celebration, as I have walked with my friends. A final good-bye, as I see them off. When I have said my warmest wishes I get neatly folded and I quietly sit here waiting."

We pause to remember and honour those who gave their lives so that others can live lives of freedom, peace and justice. We give thanks for their bravery, their commitment and their love. #weremember #lestweforget

This week is Spiritual Care Week! Our Spiritual Care Coordinator, Lori, reflects on the concept of spiritual care in our Hospice Spirit Blog. "Where do you find spirit in your life?"... "What gives you meaning and purpose?" "How do you care for your spirit?" https://hospicesimcoe.ca/hospice-spirit-october26-2020/

931 Fresh Radio (Presented by The Peggy Hill Team) & 101.1 BIG FM are hosting a Text-A-Thon in support of Hospice Simcoe! From October 26th - 31st, you can text in to donate, to help raise much needed funds for Hospice Simcoe. Text 'HOSPICE' to 41010... You will then receive a reply asking what amount you wish to donate: $5, $10 or $20. We appreciate the support of both stations and this community! #texttogive

Every year tens of thousands of families in Ontario are impacted by a pregnancy or infant loss. Grieving the loss of a baby can be difficult as families are not only mourning the loss of their baby; but a future that was full of possibility. This October Hospice Simcoe would like to recognize these families and honour their little ones no longer physically amongst us on our Memorial Wall of Ended Beginnings. Families and friends grieving as a result of a pregnancy or infant loss, no matter how long ago, are invited to share pictures, stories or any other sort of tribute to celebrate their baby’s existence. Let’s open up and share what makes them so special.

Our thanks to the Thornton Firefighters Association for their ongoing support. They stopped by last week to present us with another donation. In the photo (L to R): Adam McCourt, Matt Wanless, Kathy Stewart Hospice Simcoe, Sean Middaugh

It can be really tough to talk about grief as a teen; it can bring on lots of intense feelings and leave you with so much unknown and change. Hospice Simcoe’s Teen Grief Chat is for teens between the ages of 12-18 who are looking for grief support, have someone in their life living with a life limiting illness or are wondering how to support a grieving friend. Starting November 5th, 2020, join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 6p.m.-8p.m. for our online chatroom where you can receive support or ask questions about grief and bereavement. For more information and to access the chat, visit our website.

Hospice Simcoe offers a multitude of Community Support Programs, which are facilitated by highly trained staff and volunteers. We offer a variety of Bereavement Support Groups for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one, as well as Day Programs for those living with a life limiting illness and their caregivers. The programs we offer are for registered clients. This support is available whether or not you have had previous contact with Hospice Simcoe. If you are intereste...d in one of our groups or programs, please contact our team at 705-725-1140. You can see which programs we are offering on our Programs Calendar on our website. Hospice Simcoe does not charge for our programs and services. We rely on donations, including in memoriam gifts, general donations and third party events for almost 60% of our operating costs. It is thanks to our generous community that we can continue to provide these programs at no cost.

Last night we hosted our Dying Matters event based around Pregnancy & Infant Loss. Thank you to everyone who joined us live for great discussion and opportunity to hear what the panelists had to share. If you were unable to attend, we have the presentation available on our YouTube channel. We shared information and resources on pregnancy and infant loss including recent research, experiences, and preparing for another pregnancy after a loss.... https://youtu.be/6YAcU3HtaE8

We hope you'll be joining us in an hour! Use this link to join us 6pm: https://zoom.us/j/92229178318 This event is open to all community members, free of charge. Topic: Pregnancy & Infant loss... Bring your questions, comments, and thoughts for an open discussion with our panelists. All are welcome to participate and/or listen in. We want to engage with you! Our panelists will share information and resources on pregnancy and infant loss including recent research, experiences, and preparing for another pregnancy after a loss. Dying Matters is an open forum presented by Hospice Simcoe, designed to encourage individuals in our community to start talking about dying, death & bereavement.

We are thrilled to share with you the official Smile Cookie Campaign announcement! THANK YOU - to the owners and staff of the local Tim Hortons restaurants (Barrie & Stroud) and to the thousands of people in our community for their support in purchasing a RECORD 156,422 SMILE COOKIES! That is an incredible amount of cookies in one week! Hospice Simcoe and the Birthing Unit at Team RVH will each receive $78,211.... We are beyond grateful for the support of everyone involved in this campaign and to each and every single person who purchased cookies throughout the week. This success is thanks to you. Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Foundation

October 15th can be a day met with mixed emotions for many Ontarians. This day is officially designated to recognize and honour little ones; except it is for all the little ones who never had the chance to be born or who were born, but who's physical presence was brief. You see, October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. This day was established to remember, celebrate, honour and grieve the lives of these children, but to also acknowledge that much needs to be ...done to raise awareness on how common this loss is, the impact it has on families and the resources that are in need to support them. If you or someone you know is grieving because of this tragic loss, please know there is an ever growing community of support behind you. For events in your area supporting Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, please look at your local calendar. Parents, caregivers and their families are welcome to share about their baby on our Ended Beginnings Memorial Wall on Facebook and you can join us tonight at 6 p.m. for Dying Matters. Our panelists will share information and resources on pregnancy and infant loss including recent research, experiences and preparing for another pregnancy after loss.

We want to extend our thanks to everyone involved in the 1st Annual Joan Wilson Memorial Golf Tournament in support of Hospice Simcoe. Pictured here with our Executive Director, Kelly Hubbard, is Scott Ward and Dave Webster who stopped by with the proceeds from the event.