Background
The Hospice Society of West Hants began its journey in Ellershouse, Nova Scotia, in November 2023, after many community discussions at the Ellershouse Death Cafés, regarding the need for more local supports for end-of-life.
Almost a year after its inception, and many more discussions later, the first official information session was hosted that fall, with nineteen individuals in attendance. We officially becoming a registered Not-For-Profit Society with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies on October 10, 2024, with our first working and administrative Board of Directors being established that same week.
Currently, the Hospice Society of West Hants is a small team of individuals who are engaged in the initial phases of developing a Society. We will be seeking volunteers to help with fundraising, and other activities, in the near future.
Stay tuned!
Image: 'beauty' (photo courtesy of K.Murphy)
The Hospice Society of West Hants seeks to facilitate community engagement and support for local hospice services in our community.
Our goal is to improve death literacy and end-of-life care for community members in West Hants and surrounding areas. We will provide end-of-life preparation and mental wellness education and support to the West Hants community. We will work together in partnership with local service providers and with our generous donors.
Although our current initiative is to develop partnerships and to assist with caring for our community, our long-term vision is to build a hospice facility right here in West Hants!
Currently, we are investigating the potential land use of a forested lot in Ellershouse, NS. Ellershouse is located just off Hwy 101; 30 mins from Lower Sackville and 45 mins to Halifax or Dartmouth. It is also 15 mins away from our local Hants Community Hospital, allowing for a shorter distance for your loved one to be transported from hospital to hospice care, if so desired.
The proposed lot is within 10 mins from HWY 101, off of exit 4, and offers a forested hillside that is quiet from local traffic.
The proposed facility location is situated 45mins in between both Valley Hospice and Halifax Hospice, offering a shorter commute for loved ones to visit you while in hospice.
Future Plans
What is hospice?
Hospice is a type of care focused on providing comfort and support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Unlike curative treatments aimed at prolonging life, hospice care prioritizes quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This focus on holistic care helps to improve dignity, comfort, and peace for persons at end-of-life.
Do we really need another hospice in NS?
This province is currently supported by three wonderful hospice facilities, each at different locations across the province: one in Halifax; another in the Valley; and a third in Cape Breton. We are also very fortunate that Cumberland and Truro are seeking to build hospice facilities in their local areas as well. And furthermore, hospice beds continue to be added to palliative care wards in other parts of Nova Scotia.
This is all great news; however, according to a recent media release from the Canadian Cancer Society, in order to support our nearly 1 million Nova Scotians, we are still short approximately 40 beds for the 70 required to at least come close to the end-of-life care we should be offering our community members. (https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/media-releases/2023/palliative-care-report)
Research
Image: 'a morning walk' (photo courtesy of S.Murphy)
In the meantime, patients continue to travel to their nearest open emergency room locations to receive the medical care they seek, at end-of-life. The care is often wonderful and so amazingly considered, yet patients, who once wished to die at home, continue to die in hospital. Our proposed 7 to 10 bed hospice will change the statistic of those who die away from the comfort of a home-like atmosphere.
The Hospice Society of West Hants hopes to be able to say we are building Nova Scotia's fourth hospice. Help us make a difference for those receiving end-of-life care in West Hants.
Contact us today, to get involved!
To provide holistic support for individuals and their caregivers, throughout their life-changing illness journey.
Mission
Vision
To improve death literacy and end-of-life support for community members in and around West Hants, by providing education, resource-sharing, and connecting individuals to available services.
Values
Compassion
Grief is a shared human experience. We recognize your feelings of loss and seek to support you on your path to healing.
Respect/Dignity
Dignity is perceived in various ways by different individuals. Acknowledging and respecting these differences is the initial step in fostering trusting relationships.
Communication / Teamwork
You are the central figure in your own narrative. By expressing your needs, you enable us to more effectively plan and implement the necessary programs in our community.
Integrity
Being accountable to the community and stakeholders serves as the foundation of trust for our organization.
Our
Board
of
Directors
Upcoming Events
Below are programs we are currently preparing to offer to the community, at no cost, thanks to our generous donors.
Events are being added regularly, be sure to keep checking in.
Click to learn more!
Sun, May 11East Coast Memorial - Annapolis Valley- Multiple DatesThu, May 15School Street Studio Glass
- Multiple DatesThu, May 159Mile Business Centre
Multiple DatesTue, May 27Cedar Centre- Multiple DatesThu, May 29Ellershouse Community Hall
Wed, Jun 11Cedar Centre- Wed, Oct 01Cedar Centre
- Wed, Jan 07Cedar Centre
image: AI generated image depicting potential design of the future facility.
