Dear Hospice Supporters,

February has been a busy month for the board, as we focussed on committee work and putting plans in place for the next little while.

Our Fundraising Committee is looking to hold 3 events this year, including our annual Hike for Hospice. Watch for opportunities to become involved in the future, and if you or an organization to which you belong would like to host a fundraiser for the hospice society, please contact us. We have a third-party fundraising kit which covers all the necessary information you’ll need, including how to get permission to use our society’s name and advertise that funds raised will go to Hospice.

Tim Hortons has invited us to be the recipient charity for this year’s Smile Cookie campaign in Powell River. When we’ve got all the details, we will be asking for volunteers to help out during that week. It won’t be labour intensive!

Save the date – Walk, Run, Hike and Bike for Hospice will take place the week of May 7th to 14th. Start thinking about forming teams, issuing challenges and getting all your friends on board! This is our biggest fundraiser each year.

qathet Division of Family Practice has again generously supported us with the gift of time and assistance from their communications lead as we undertake the process of rolling out our new name and identity to the community. Malerie Meeker and I have met once with Vanessa Bjerreskov, and she’s already full of wonderful ideas for our rebranding. We very much appreciate all the different ways our community partners offer to work with us.

Thank you again for your ongoing support of Four Tides Hospice Society. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information on any hospice-related topic.

Cathy Fisher, President
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Update from Our Program Coordinator

Complicated Grief/Traumatic Loss Workshop Series

We are pleased to share that we are offering a specialized complicated grief/traumatic loss workshop series for volunteers of PRHS and other volunteers within the community. 

In the first session, delivered virtually by the BC Bereavement Helpline, participants will learn about complicated grief and traumatic loss, how traumatic loss and stigma impact the grief process, and how to support others affected by traumatic loss.

Sessions two and three, delivered in-person by The VK Wellness Initiative, will offer participants the opportunity to learn about and practice strategies such as empathetic presence, reflective presence, reconnecting with self and life and re-engaging strategies. Worker self care will also be addressed.

This workshop series is open to Four Tides Hospice Society volunteers as well as volunteers with other non-profit organizations in the community. A certificate of completion will be granted to participants completing all three sessions.

Dates: March 22, March 30 and April 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
To register, please email Leslie at programs@prhospice.org or call 604-208-4378. As space is limited, please register early to avoid disappointment. 

Final Note Music Group

The Final Note group at Kiwanis Manor is up and running and having a marvelous time with Music Therapist, Julia Adam. I attended a session earlier this month and appreciated so much how engaged participants were. The group began by listening to a few pieces to “warm up” and went on to use various instruments, select preferred songs and create lovely music together. Discussions revolved around the challenges of the last few years living under COVID and memories of times gone by such as dancing in the dance halls during the 2nd World War.

There was a reflection that now, as then, “times can be tough but we’re going to get through this”. Toward the end, the song “Love Me Tender” elicited some tears with the final piece “Que Sera Sera” setting the tone for the group to move on to the tea time that followed. Julia’s warm, intuitive and inclusive approach was wonderful to experience. The group is thinking about offering a final performance in the spring. Stay tuned!

Join our Grief Support Walking Group

This group provides light exercise, fresh air, and company for those who are grieving. The walks are held on the last Tuesday of every month at 10am. Upcoming dates are February 28, March 28, April 25, May 30 & June 27. The meeting place is the Sea Walk parking lot.
 
Everyone welcome!
 
If you have questions, please reach out to Leslie at programs@prhospice.org
Update from Our Client & Volunteer Coordinator

We have only a couple weeks left in our volunteer training for 2023! We have been learning a lot and have covered topics such as Spiritual Care, Family Dynamics, Psychosocial Needs of the Dying, and more! Soon we will have a new batch of volunteers ready to support clients. We are so grateful for this as new referrals continue to come in! Our volunteers are busy!

A Dying Person's Bill of Rights

Here at Four Tides Hospice Society we believe in these rights for our clients:

  • I have the right to be treated as a living human being until I die.
  • I have the right to maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing its focus may be.
  • I have the right to participate in decisions concerning my care.
  • I have the right to expect continuing medical and nursing attention even though “cure” goals must be changed to "comfort" goals
  • I have the right not to die alone.
  • I have the right to be free from pain.
  • I have the right to have my questions answered honestly.
  •  I have the right not to be deceived.
  • I have the right to have help from, and for, my family in accepting my death.
  • I have the right to die in peace and dignity.
  • I have the right to retain my individuality and not be judged for my decision which may be contrary to the beliefs of others.
  • I have the right to be cared for by caring, sensitive, knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand my needs and will be able to gain some satisfaction in helping me face my death.
Fundraising Update

The Fundraising Committee is responsible for organizing and implementing fundraising events and activities, first to sustain our current programs and then for raising funds for Hospice House. Another responsibility is to raise awareness of all the work we do. The committee decided on three major fundraisers and a number of small activities for this fiscal year. We will need lots of volunteers to help with these events. Stay tuned for how to sign up to volunteer!

The Hospice House Steering Committee met in February and set goals for the first quarter of the year:

  • Secure partnership with VCH including location and responsibilities of both parties

  • Begin process of incorporating the Community Engagement Research findings into the proposed floorplans

  • Raise $750,000 this year. In addition to fundraising events planned by the Fundraising Committee, we will explore a variety of ways to raise money for the building fund and develop community understanding as to why we would like to build a dedicated hospice facility.  
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Connect With Us!
604-223-7309
powellriverhospice@gmail.com
PO Box 33 Powell River, BC V8A 4Z5