About Us
Our Past
Hospice Kawartha Lakes, formerly known as Palliative Care Victoria was officially established on February 15, 1988. It was founded largely by Dianne Thibert and Verna Curtin, along with 18 other volunteers under the auspices of Victoria Country Community Care.
In April 1986 the local chapter of RNAO (Registered Nursing Association of Ontario) sponsored a special one-day seminar on palliative care and the distinguished guest speakers were June Callwood and Dr. Dorothy Ley. Out of the seminar a growing interested surfaced and Dianne was asked to assemble a group of interested health care professionals and lay people to discuss a volunteer palliative care program for Victoria County. Dianne’s concern about the treatment and care of terminal patients was paramount in her vision for a palliative care program. This, Dianne says was the beginning of many long hours and hard work in meetings to plan and develop their strategy. Through Victoria County Community Care, under the direction of Valmay Barkey, one of the members of the steering committee, a Trillium grant was obtained to assist PCV’s beginning.
The first volunteer program was completed in January 1988. Over the years we have expanded our services to include not only people living in their homes, but in hospitals, seniors’ residences and long-term care facilities. We not only provide palliative care support, but bereavement support to anyone in the City of Kawartha Lakes. We developed training programs designed to prepare our volunteers to help out the many who have asked for our support and assistance and now we have a strong group of committed and dedicated volunteers in 2004 when the Ross Memorial Hospital opened up 10 new palliative care beds, we saw another new and exiting development.
Hospice Kawartha Lakes at present has a large contingent of volunteers, a Board of Directors with 12 members, three paid staff, and one staff member provided by a Trillium grant.
Our Purpose
Hospice palliative care is physical, emotional, social and spiritual care for the patient and their family.
Hospice palliative care originated in ancient times and is now known worldwide as a philosophy of care. Providing this holistic approach to care helps individuals to live their remaining days in dignity and comfort and supports the family through their grief journey. It brings physicians, nurses, other health care providers, spiritual counsellors, volunteers, friends and family members together. This interdisciplinary team provides the best possible care for those persons who are living with or dying from advanced illness.
In 2008 over 90 HKL volunteers provided 9826 hours of important community service
Our service is unique and essential to this community.