Open letter to residents;
This Society was formed shortly after the passing of a local nurse, Adele Nesbitt, in 2000. It was formed in her memory, to assist dying patients and those who are bereaved. Two rooms were set aside at the hospital for the purpose, one for the patient and one for family, complete with kitchen and bathroom with shower. Volunteers were trained and educated to provide assistance and comfort in the process of dying, and attend to the needs of the bereaving family and provide support. It was then known locally as the Hospice Society.
The Society has now been re-organized and incorporated as a non profit society known as Princeton & District Palliative Care Society. It works closely with the Penticton Hospice Society which provides advice and assistance in on-going training of volunteers. The Society has also been recognized by the Community Foundation South Okanagan Similkameen who have provided a grant to offset costs and expenses for training and upgrading of lighting and furniture to the two rooms at the hospital, and Interior Health (IHA) have offered to re-paint the rooms. Earlier this year our local Rotary club and RDOS provided monies to offset training expenses for Jamie Holloway, our IHA social worker and contact person to attend a conference in Victoria.
The Society looks forward to providing palliative care to those in need in our area. It’s volunteers offer the following services to those in need;
- Sitting vigil including being a calm presence, shared silence, talking and listening, sharing of inspirational thoughts.
- Assisting bereaved family members by offering a friendly face and open heart, talking and listening and otherwise providing a serene environment.
- Palliative massage to relieve pain, anxiety, depression and encourage a sense of comfort.
The Society volunteers also provide in-house visitations and assistance to those who are permanently or even temporarily incapacitated.
Princeton and District citizens or families wishing the assistance of the Society’s volunteers, are invited to contact June Hope at 250-295-3524.
The Society is always welcoming volunteers and providing training in palliative care. Interested parties are invited to contact it’s president, June Hope 250-295-3524 or Jamie Holloway 250 -295-4464.
John Akerley, for the Princeton & District Palliative Care Society
Princeton