We provide Residence Hospice Care, Bereavement Care, and Community Hospice Care programs such as in-home visits, day hospice and Caregiver Support. Our services meet the highest care standards in a setting that reflects as closely as possible a comfortable home environment.
Thanks to you, $860,000 has been raised for Giving Tuesday over the last seven years! This year we need your help to raise $150,000 to put us over $1 million dollars raised for this caring campaign! Between now and December 3rd, your gift will go even further thanks to our generous donors who are matching donations up to $85,000!
With your help, we can reach our goal!
Thanks to a wonderful donation in memory of Graham Campbell, your gift will make double the impact
“The Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice is near to my heart as it is the home of Richard’s Woodland Walk, a memorial to my dear husband Richard. This nature trail outside of Hein House was lovingly developed and maintained by amazing volunteers. I continue to support Hospice Care Ottawa so that families can experience the exceptional care the wonderful staff and volunteers provide each and every day, when comfort matters most.”
Thanks to the generosity of Linda, your gift will make double the impact.
Thanks to a donation from a couple of retired first responders who believe in the importance of quality palliative care in our community, your gift will make double the impact
Last year, thanks to our tremendous donors and funders, we were able to support over 1,700 people and their loved ones on their end-of-life journey. This year we are on track to do the same, but we need your support.
Here are three timely and festive examples of how donors have helped create special moments at Hospice Care Ottawa. Help us deliver more special moments this holiday season.
Dear Heart,
Thank you. Thank you for beating all these years. Thank you for allowing me to live a full and wonderful life. Things started off rough for us, you were broken when I was born. The doctors told my parents that you would be problematic for me. Causing me to have a difficult life and a shorter lifespan, but you didn’t listen.
You had your own plans for us. Plans that included education and 3 post-secondary diplomas. Plans that included travelling the country and seeing the beauty that is our own back yard. Plans for me to fall in love with the most spectacular man and become his wife. Plans for me to give so much love and in return, be so loved back.
Some would argue that 41 years is not enough, and most of the time I would agree with them, but I know what we’ve been through and it’s never been easy.
The fact that you have pumped for as long as you have has always amazed me. But my darling heart, it’s time now for us to rest. We have fought a long, hard, challenging battle, and there is nothing left we need to prove.
We’re both exhausted and it’s okay for us to stop. You did your job and you did it to the best of your ability. And for that, I love you.
With sincere gratitude towards you,
Jen
“I can’t quite remember who suggested it, but Jen approached Hospice Care Ottawa and asked them if she could join Day Hospice. Since she was living with a life limiting illness, they said she qualified.
She was delighted and became a guest at age 31, at May Court Hospice Tuesday Day Program. Jen enjoyed playing cards, doing art, singing, and loved the volunteers, staff and other guests for ten years.
Jen especially loved any special holiday and made a point of dressing in her wackiest outfit for Hallowe’en, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas! The more outrageous the outfit – the better. The staff always looked forward to seeing what she would be wearing! I think she gave them as much enjoyment as they gave to her.
Jen died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. We will be forever grateful for the love and friendship given to Jen by the caring and compassionate people at Hospice Care Ottawa”.
Sharron Hart, Jen’s Mom
“Jen was an exceptional woman who had a huge impact on all the Tuesday Day Program guests and volunteers over ten years. She had wit, charm and huge empathy for everyone always noticing when others were having “down days”.
She loved good fun – be it card games or dressing up on holidays and she was infectious in her enthusiasm. She was the best volunteer despite being a guest. Her giving nature was legendary.”
Martha Nixon, Day Hospice Volunteer
This past summer, Thanksgiving came early for this family at Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice. After spending three weeks in hospital with no appetite, once this Resident arrived to Hein House her appetite began to return. She was craving was her sister-in-law’s gravy.
So, after consulting with Hospice staff, the family decided to hold a Thanksgiving potluck dinner and farewell toast. Surrounded by three generations of family, neighbours and close friends, this Resident got to enjoy her favourite holiday one last time, eat that beloved gravy, and attend her own “Celebration of Life” – exactly how she wanted it.
We were so pleased to be able to accommodate her final wishes.
Recently, at a Hospice suite at Maison de l’Est, we had some extra special visitors stay the night. Our Resident loved her 6 grandchildren and it was very important for her that each of them had the opportunity to spend one night with her. The resident and her family were very appreciative that the staff at la Maison de l’Est (MDE) could accommodate her wishes. In fact, most of the family camped at out a MDE during the resident’s last days of life. Thinking that the last sounds this person has heard was those of her grandchildren warms our hearts.
This is yet another example of your support delivering special moments for families during their most difficult days.
