The nominated program is called Day Hospice. It is only one of three such programs in Canada. It offers a day of support, practical help, care giver relief and companionship to people diagnosed with a life threatening or terminal illness. The program is run twice a week for two groups of up to 10 patients each.
It is open to anyone regardless of religion or ethnic group and is free for patients and their families.
The patients are picked up by volunteer drivers at their homes and arrive at our home-like facility at 10:00 a.m. for coffee, juice and muffins. The mood and pace of the day is set by the patients themselves. Although one of the program's objectives is to be a support group it is not structured as such nor is it enforced. Central to the day is a lunch, since there is a lot of laughter around this table and being able to share a meal with others increase the enjoyment of the food. The patients are returned to their homes by volunteer drivers at about 3:00 p.m.
