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Victoria Hospice bereavement counsellors dealing with a tsunami of grief

Last year, Victoria Hospice provided end-of-life care to more than 1,000 people
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Adrienne Rogers (LPN) and Tracy McConnell (RN) on the Victoria Hospice Unit. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Hospice)

The pandemic has been hard on everyone. But for those facing death and dealing with bereavement, COVID-19 has taken a heart-wrenching toll.

The staggering effect of the pandemic on the health care system tops the headlines every day. But Victoria Hospice physicians, nurses and counsellors are reporting on the lesser-known effects on people facing end of life, their loved ones, and bereaved people.

“The massive impact of COVID-19 on the health-care system includes palliative care,” said Victoria Hospice CEO Kevin Harter. “Hospice and palliative care teams everywhere are being called upon to meet unprecedented challenges.”

ALSO READ: Hospice provides compassion in a time of COVID

Isolation triggered by the pandemic comes at such a poignant time in the lives of patients and families.

“Victoria Hospice bereavement counsellors are meeting a tsunami of grief right at our front door,” said director of psychosocial services Marney Thompson.

“We know grief has been painfully magnified by the pandemic. Suffering is amplified by people’s extraordinary experiences of illness and death – and sometimes a lonely death. Even well-resourced people who might otherwise be able to navigate grief with informal support from friends and family are now seeking professional bereavement support and counselling.”

Visitor restrictions, so important for everyone’s safety, can seem at odds with what palliative and hospice care are all about.

“Palliative care isn’t only about managing symptoms and making people physically comfortable. It’s about closeness and humanity. It’s about helping families through the hardest days of their lives,” said Victoria Hospice medical director Dr. Amy Tan. “Masks and face shields and goggles and PPE seem to separate us. Physical distancing keeps us apart. Barriers seem to spring up just when patients and families need to be closer than ever.”

With half its funding provided by donations, Victoria Hospice is calling on supporters to help the organization write a new chapter of resilience in its Frontline of Compassion appeal.

“Our supportive community has been absolutely essential to our services for more than 40 years,” said Harter. “In these difficult times, their help is more important than ever.”

ALSO READ: Greater Victoria mother’s grief fuels documentary of ‘Turning Hope into Action’

Last year, Victoria Hospice provided compassionate end-of-life care to more than 1,000 people on the clinical unit and at home. Over the next 20 years, the number of those 75 and older is expected to more than double in Greater Victoria.

“While we’re working hard to meet the present need, we’re closely monitoring these trends and looking to ways we can address the demand for palliative care in the future,” said Harter. “We’re so grateful to our donors for walking alongside us every step of the way.”

To learn more about how you can support end-of-life care in our community visit www.victoriahospice.org.


 

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