Introducing members of Visiting Hospice Program

Volunteer members of the Visiting Hospice Program met last week in the board room of Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth on Greenwood Drive. Pictured here are Katie O’Donovan (the volunteer co-ordinator) in the back, Marion Jackson Tyler, Janet Shaii, Jill Taylor, Donna West, Chelsey Gilchrist (community outreach coordinator), Ginny Barron, Dorothy Scott, Murray Schlotzhauer and Beth Lynes. Missing are Elizabeth Kuhl, Bessie Wilhelm, Marg Falsetto, Judy Bennett and Manfred Mewes.

By: Gary West

Many in the area of Stratford and Perth County know the importance of having a residential hospice in the area. Many may not know of the Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth’s Visiting Hospice Program that was established and instituted a number of years ago.

The program focuses on community education and the making of new connections for those in the area who would like to have a volunteer to stay with a loved one who would be able to give an individual caregiver a break.

Visiting Hospice volunteers can offer drives, company at an appointment or support with grocery shopping, and referrals can come from anywhere, including family, neighbours or other friends.

That could mean the caregiver could go to visit with a friend or relative, or even just to have time for oneself, or just to get away for time alone.

All Visiting Hospice members are involved in taking a course to better themselves in being a volunteer and understanding the hospice program. They are individuals, both men and women, who find themselves wanting to make a difference in the lives of those who could use their help.

They are required to take this important course that will allow them to help those in need in ways they are trained.

The difference between the Visiting Hospice Program and a friendly visiting program is the diagnosis of a life limiting illness, as opposed to just wanting companionship. If someone has a life limiting illness, individuals can qualify for the Visiting Hospice program.

Because there is the word “hospice” in the name, referrals tend to come in late.

Family caregivers should know it is not just for the final weeks or days to provide support, but can be as early as possible for months and longer to be a true support.

Discussion around what it means to have a life limiting diagnosis, means having a terminal diagnosis but not necessarily in a certain time frame.

There is also a new program coming in the fall of 2026 called the Caregiver Connection Program. It will be a 90-minute biweekly gathering for caregivers that are supporting someone with a life limiting illness.

The program hopes to provide peer support, resources and needed connections. It will offer Visiting Hospice volunteers to be with their loved one as a client, while the caregiver attends the program.

More details will be shared in the future.

For more details on the Visiting Hospice Program, contact Chelsey Gilchrist, community hospice outreach coordinator, by calling 519-508-4900 or emailing chelsey@rotaryhospice.ca.