What's Happening This Month?

• Disability Pride Month
• Sarcoma Awareness Month

July 1st

• Hot Tips
• Canada Day

July 6th

• EPM - Spring 2026 B: Coaching Session #1
• Injury Prevention Day

July 7th

• PILO NSM Drop-In Program (Bracebridge)

July 8th

• 'One of Us Is Missing' Day

June 11th

• Orangemen's Day

July 13th

• EPM - Spring 2026 B: Coaching Session #2

July 15th

• World Youth Skills Day

July 22nd

• World Brain Day

July 25th

• World Drowning Prevention Day

July 28th

• World Hepatitis Day

July 30th

• World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

From Our Team

Thank You Montana's

The Hospice Orillia team was honoured to recognize Ashlee McConnell at Orillia Montana’s with a certificate of appreciation for the support they are providing to Hospice Orillia through their Community Booth.

From June through August, 10% of proceeds are donated back to Hospice Orillia, helping to support the programs we offer free of charge to our community.

Thank you to Montana’s and to everyone who books the Community Booth as part of their reservation.

This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on our community by becoming a board

member with the North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network (NSMHPCN) and

Hospice Orillia.

We are currently recruiting new board members who are committed to improving the way

palliative care is delivered in North Simcoe Muskoka and are seeking passionate, skilled, and

community-minded individuals.

Potential members must demonstrate a passion for improving the quality and sustainability of

palliative care, exercise skill and diligence in the best interest of our organization and abide by existing governance regulations for non-profit organizations.Our mission is to support the provision of exceptional hospice palliative care and end of life

care through partnerships, innovative programs and knowledge exchange. We envision a

community where the experience of hospice palliative care and end of life care honours each

individual and their choices. We believe that with our aging population, this work has never

been more important than it is today.

We invite you to look at our Strategic Plan which sets out the strategic directions and priorities for the coming years.

Skills and Experience Required:

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds with lived experience or interest in:

• Healthcare, palliative care, or hospice services

• Finance, accounting, budgeting

• Fundraising, donor management, and communications

• Governance, leadership, and board experience

What is Involved:

• Monthly board meetings (Approximately 9 meetings a year; 3-4 hours per month)

• Active participation in board committees and working groups

• Community outreach and advocacy

Interested candidates should apply by sending a letter of interest along with a current CV or

other indication of the skills the candidate is providing to Whitney Vowels, Executive Director - whitney@nsmhpcn.ca.

Your time is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. As a hospice volunteer, you have the opportunity to bring comfort, compassion, and connection to individuals and families when it matters most.

We are currently growing our volunteer team and are looking for compassionate individuals who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Volunteers are at the heart of hospice care, and we are always seeking people with diverse skills, experiences, and availability to support individuals and families throughout our community. Whether you have a few hours a week or more time to give, there are many ways to get involved—and even more on the horizon.

Exciting things are coming this fall, and the ways our volunteers can get involved will continue to grow. It’s a meaningful time to join our team and be part of what’s ahead.

We host information sessions where you can learn more about our organization, explore the variety of volunteer roles available, and discover how you can be part of this compassionate community.

Join us at an upcoming Volunteer Information Session to learn more!

Date: Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM via Zoom

Register: Registration required. Contact Ashley MacGregor, Volunteer Coordinator at:

• (705) 325-0505 ext. 218
• ashley@hospiceorillia.ca

Programs

ABOUT HOSPICE ORILLIA

At Hospice Orillia, we offer practical, emotional, and spiritual support to those in our community coping with advanced illness, death and bereavement. Our volunteers and staff serve clients and their loved ones of all ages and backgrounds with compassion and respect while honouring their choices and supporting them throughout their journey. Services currently available through the Hospice Orillia program:

Bereavement Support Services

• Adult Child Loss Group
• Closed 8-Week Bereavement Support Group
• Drop-in Coffee & Care Group
• Equine Therapy (Youth and Adult)
• Facility Dog (Trooper)
• Grief Support for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
• One-to-One Peer Support
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support (PILO)
• Transitions Bereavement Group
• Walking Group

Visiting Hospice Services

• Caregiver Support
• Complementary Therapy (Reiki)
• The Footprints Project Program (Narrative Life Story Book, Letter/Card Writing & Scrapbook Creation)
• Supportive Counseling with Registered Social Worker
• Visiting Volunteer (One-on-One Peer Support)

At Hospice Orillia we believe that death is a part of life, a rite of passage. There is much that can be done to help individuals and their families face this time with dignity and quality in their lives. Each person is unique, and their distinctness will be respected within an atmosphere of confidentiality.

HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT

Hospice Orillia welcomes referrals and support requests from anyone in the community. You can connect with us through the following methods:

• Online: https://hospiceorillia.ca
• Phone: (705) 325-0505

Referrals may be made by individuals living with a progressive life-limiting illness, those who have experienced the loss of a significant person, their family members, friends, caregivers, or members of their care team (e.g., nurses, physicians). Please note: If you are referring on behalf of someone else, their consent is required, and you will need to provide some basic information to complete the referral process.

If you are uncertain about which services may best meet your needs, we encourage you to contact us. Our team is here to guide you and ensure you are connected with the most appropriate support.

From the NSMHPCN team

Transgender older adults often face unique health challenges related to lifelong experiences of stigma, discrimination, and barriers to accessing gender-affirming healthcare. As they age, many transgender individuals encounter concerns about social isolation, inadequate support systems, and fear of discrimination within long-term care and end-of-life settings. Advocacy efforts focus on promoting inclusive healthcare policies, ensuring respect for gender identity, and improving provider education to deliver culturally safe care. In palliative care, affirming a person's gender identity, involving chosen family members in decision-making, and addressing psychosocial as well as physical needs are essential components of high-quality care. Creating inclusive palliative care environments can help transgender older adults experience dignity, comfort, and autonomy throughout serious illness and at the end of life.

READ:

Aging with Affirmation

WATCH:

Research Highlights: Aging with Affirmation Needs of Trans and Gender-Diverse Older Adults

LISTEN:

Transgender Aging, Health, Advocacy, and Palliative Care Podcast

Wellness Corner

Around the Community

If you know of any upcoming local events or have a helpful link you would like to share, we would love to hear from you!

Please email your recommendations to amanda@hospiceorillia.ca