Community vision for hospice care realized in Moose Jaw
A new Sacred Space at Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw opened today, marking the completion of the community’s 13-year effort to bring hospice palliative care to local residents.
This non-denominational gathering place offers Heartland Hospice and Pioneer Home’s combined 72 residents and their families a place to connect, reflect and participate in the traditions and ceremonies they find meaningful.
“The opening of the Sacred Space marks a significant milestone for Heartland Hospice, as the final piece of our capital campaign,” said Sara Bryan, Chair, Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw. “Created as a quiet, inclusive place for reflection and healing, it embodies our commitment to providing compassionate, holistic end-of-life care. We are grateful for our community’s generosity and our partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority for making this possible.”
The Sacred Space supports the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of residents and their families, addressing a core component of palliative care which focuses on enhancing quality of life for individuals living with advanced illness.
“The opening of the Sacred Space supports a shared objective held by both Heartland Hospice and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, which is to provide Saskatchewan residents with appropriate person-centred care, as close to home as possible,” said Karen Abrey, Executive Director of Continuing Care and System Flow, Integrated Rural Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority. “We are grateful to our Heartland Hospice partners for their commitment to providing local hospice care to patients and families in Moose Jaw, and for the community generosity that brought their vision to life."
Since its opening, Heartland Hospice has cared for 25 clients and their families over 759 client days. The hospice includes a three-bed hospice wing, a family room, Serenity Garden, and now this Sacred Space, all housed within Pioneer Lodge. The funds for this initiative are provided by the Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw, through the generosity of the Moose Jaw community.
