Editor:
My husband recently spent his final two months in a hospice room at Shorncliffe in Sechelt. During that time, he received stellar care and attention from all hospice volunteers and medical professionals.
His spacious and attractive hospice room provided a comfortable and much-appreciated space for visiting relatives. Local friends spent extended quality time with him. The adjoining room enabled me to sleep overnight in welcome privacy and be present in the early hours when needed.
During this time, I was shocked and saddened to hear stories from two separate people regarding unsatisfactory palliative care of a loved one in England and Toronto, respectively.
As a recent beneficiary of our excellent local hospice care and as a seven-year hospice volunteer, I believe that not enough people on the Sunshine Coast know and appreciate what a rare gem our hospice service is. It deserves far more government funding, especially since our region has the second-highest, per-capita average age in the province.
Having only two hospice beds to serve our ever-growing and aging population is wholly inadequate. Due to an ongoing lack of beds, hospice is unable to accommodate everyone who needs one. I feel exceptionally lucky and grateful that my husband was able to receive such fine service.
It’s time for politicians to increase funding to hospice, which relies almost completely on donations. We need at least four dedicated beds. After all, death is something none of us will escape. Why not make its related care as accessible and comfortable as possible?
Heather Conn, Roberts Creek