Winter The Seasons Are Changing, and so Are WE! Regina Palliative Care & Bereavement Centre. Winter 2017

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1 Winter 2017 Regina Palliative Care & Bereavement Centre Winter 2017 The Seasons Are Changing, and so Are WE! Regina Palliative Care & Bereavement Centre is excited to share some important news about the organization s evolution and growth. RPCI was started more than 35 years ago under the guidance of some amazing people and as we have grown over the years and evolved we have proudly built a reputation of excellence with the programs we deliver, the partnerships we have nurtured, and the clients we serve across the province. With all of these concepts in place, we are leveraging this strong foundation and looking to the future with a new strategic direction that will connect us and our services to Saskatchewan s people during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Effective December 1 st, RPCI will be rebranding as Caring Hearts - our goal is to support you, our province, and to do so with a caring heart through our programs, counselling services and educational offerings. We want to walk beside you and offer strong mental health support whether it s from the time of palliative diagnosis and throughout the continuum of care, following an unexpected loss due to suicide, homicide, or accident, following the loss of a loved one who is missing or presumed deceased, or through the loss of self following a traumatic event. Wherever you are in your lives, Caring Hearts looks forward to walking beside you through grief s journey. Caring Hearts Regina, SK

2 Executive Director s Message Where does the time go? It s something I seem to ask myself more and more these days, but never more often than after the first snow fall of the season. Autumn may bring change and a sense of routine, but the winter months definitely carry their own notions of settling in for the season with ideas of tucking into the warmth of tradition and surrounding ourselves with comfort whether it s a favourite blanket, a warm cup of tea, or in the arms of a loved one s touch or memories. RPCI has undergone a lot of change over the past year, and while we re excited to announce our change to the community with the reveal of our new brand and messaging that clearly demonstrates our commitment and purpose in Saskatchewan, we also want to reassure our partners, families, and friends that the tradition of excellence we strive for is something you can take great comfort in wrapping yourselves in. We at Regina Palliative Care & Bereavement Centre believe in building partnerships that advance our cause through strategic alignments with community partners. And that s because we understand together we can do so much. We gratefully acknowledge the following partners who help provide more impact in our communities. We have also looked at building new traditions for those we serve, and have done so through a refresh of many of our programs, as well as the incredibly successful launch of our Inaugural Caring Hearts Conference and Retreat, which took place in Regina during the first week of November. This special event has set the stage for our new journey in helping professionals and individuals, and it is one tradition we look forward to repeating for many years to come. As projects and programs wrap up and get tucked away for another season, that thought of where does the time go? creeps up once again, but as I look back at 2017 I m very happy to tuck myself into the comforting glow of knowing how you as donors and supporters have made a difference in the lives of so many a warm and wonderful thought indeed! On behalf of our staff, partners, families, and all those we serve and support, thank you for being a part of our journey in 2017! Stephanie Kohlruss, CFRE

3 Caring Hearts Camp putting smiles back on Young faces The last weekend in September is always a busy one but for very good reason it s Camp weekend! Months of planning and preparation prepare the team of staff and volunteers for the arrival of over 50 campers who all have one very important thing in common.they have all lost someone. We all know losing a loved one is an incredibly hard experience, but what would it be like to lose someone special when you re just a kid? For a young person, that struggle can be terribly overwhelming, and it can leave them feeling like their whole world is upside down, filled with the fear that it will never right itself and the feeling of being normal will never be experienced again. Through the generous support of our donors and community partners, such as Community Initiatives Fund, our Caring Hearts Camp program is offered completely free of charge. This camp weekend ensures young people experiencing a loss are provided with a nurturing and safe environment; one that allows them to find healing rituals and helps them along their grief journey. Caring Hearts Camp helps children work through the grieving process alongside other children who are experiencing a similar loss; when children are surrounded by peers who understand what they re going through it creates a safe and healing environment that puts them on a path of mental health, wellness, and emotional healing. Thank you to all our incredible volunteers who helped make our 2017 fall session of Caring Hearts Camp a memorable one for all our young campers.

4 UNVEILING THE NEW RETREAT AT REGINA WASCANA GRACE HOSPICE What began as a strong willingness to make an impactful donation towards end of life care, has blossomed into a complete transformation for Regina Wascana Grace Hospice thanks to one very special donor. Last December, Stephanie Kohlruss Executive Director and Trish Taylor Director of Philanthropy & Communications, had the pleasure of delivering the news to Regina Wascana Grace Hospice their tub room would receive the much needed transformation it deserved. In early 2017, the thoughtful planning for this space began and demolition was underway in July. What was once an outdated, malfunctioning tub room has emerged as a new, peaceful oasis for the patients of Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, long-term residents of the William Booth Special Care Home and the individuals who utilize these services from within the community. This transformation wasn t just a simple tub replacement, but achieved so much more, including the following: - Fully accessible bathtub complete with jet whirlpool system, colour light therapy and music sound system to provide refuge from pain and discomfort for patients. - Blanket warmer - New ceiling track lift - Update of tiling, flooring, paint and lighting BEFORE

5 On October 17 th, the work was complete and it was time to share the transformation with our donor, a truly memorable moment. Thank you Ms Taylor for your overwhelming kindness, generosity, and most importantly, your caring heart.

6 On November 2 nd, with 25 agencies from across the province in attendance, the Inaugural Caring Hearts Conference & Retreat was officially launched. Saskatchewan frontline workers and first responders place themselves at risk of emotional, physical and cognitive difficulties as a result of their daily exposure to difficult and often lifethreatening events. Repeated exposure to these stressful events can lead to a traumatic reaction that manifests itself in the form of anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, loss of memory, concentration and learning ability, detachment, disassociation, negativity and hyper vigilance. A first-class lineup of speakers delivered significant and meaningful education to our attendees. Allowing these important individuals to fill their professional toolboxes and return to their agencies with a better understanding in areas of grief, trauma and missing persons. Sorry you missed out? Join us next year November 1-4, 2018!

7 Top Priority for Palliative unit Bathing services located on the palliative care unit at the Pasqua Hospital are accessed by palliative patients and long-term care patients from all around the community, including those in homecare. Although there is currently a bathing system in operation within the unit, it has been used so extensively that it is now considered to be an extremely high priority as it must be replaced as soon as possible. The tub that is presently being utilized is experiencing failing equipment that limits access and usability on a regular basis. This essential piece of equipment provides patients with relief from pain and discomfort. Our bathtub campaign received a $10,000 kickstart thanks to a very dedicated and loyal donor! Help us to deliver this much needed equipment to the palliative care unit in time for the New Year! If you wish to contribute to this essential piece of equipment, donations for the bathtub can be made through our Director of Philanthropy & Communications Trish Taylor (306)

8 Our journey through 2017 Every year seems to be busier than the last. Just when we think we have a moment to catch our breath, an event or another round of programs is waiting has seen a lot of change and growth for our organization beginning with our relocation in early spring. Our office space now is much more conducive to our clients needs and offers a more comforting, trauma-informed space, thanks to our friends at Farm Credit Canada. Education continues to be in high demand as agencies and organizations across the province are looking to gain an enhanced understanding of trauma, missing persons and grief so they can better serve the individuals and families who turn to them for support. Over the course of the year, 34 education sessions were delivered in 7 different communities to a total of 1700 individuals from 28 various agencies. We look forward to offering more of these meaningful sessions to professionals in Our journey has seen many changes and transformations as we evolve and focus on growth and demand. Change is inevitable, but at the very heart of what we do, we continue to honour the essence of the bereavement centre, its core vision and values, and will do so for as many years as our stakeholders and clients allow us. This means direct delivery of programs supporting the grief journey in all its facets. Throughout 2017 we have delivered counselling supports for individuals and families from 72 communities. Our organization exists to ensure individuals, families and communities have access to resources and additional supports during their journey of grief and we will continue to walk alongside them in Thanks to the caring hearts of our donors and partners whose commitment it is to enhance palliative care in our province, we have been able to focus efforts on major projects for both the Palliative Care Unit at the Pasqua Hospital and Regina Wascana Grace Hospice. The newly transformed spa retreat at hospice will provide peacefulness and comfort to patients in their final days. Work is also underway with the arrival of a new fridge and stove for the family room on the Palliative Unit. The New Year will see the complete renewal of this space for our palliative families thanks to Great-West Life, Canada Life and London Life. Although we are wrapping up our year with a whole new name and look, we will continue to honour the legacy to which this organization began so many years ago. Caring Hearts will continue to grow and adapt, remain relevant and responsive. Our organization continues to evolve and we will continue to strive for excellence and focus on Saskatchewan s overall health and well-being. We are transforming the way we operate to continuously improve our ability to reach more individuals and more communities throughout our province and we are humbled to have you be a part of this growth. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your journey. We look forward to having you beside us as we look ahead to what 2018 will bring!