The Montreal Institute for Palliative Care, a branch of the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence, is pleased to announce the funding of $33,000 from the Volunteer Support Program of Monsef Derraji, MNA for the Nelligan Riding, to enhance the research, expansion, and development of compassionate communities throughout the West Island of Montreal.
A community-based initiative to help people with frailty, chronic and/or life-limiting illness to live at home or in the community for as long as possible. Compassionate Communities aim to promote and integrate social approaches to living, dying, death, and bereavement in the everyday life of individuals and strengthen ties between communities and community programs, families, and health services. This initiative also aims at building capacity and resilience across diverse cultures.
The Institute and Residence, a non-profit organization in the Nelligan riding, have several initiatives to this end. Resources of the Residence and Institute can play an important part in helping citizens be well in their homes, and that is just what Monsef Derraji is facilitating by supporting our compassionate communities’ initiatives.
Monsef Derraji’s funding on behalf of the Nelligan riding will help to advance several initiatives:
Presenting Advance Care Planning: A process of reflection for citizens, families, and decision-makers to reflect on their care goals, values, and beliefs and determine how this should inform current and future medical care. This happens through live 90- minute workshops given to community organizations such as libraries, community centers, and assisted living homes primarily.
Providing a six-part “family caregiver” lecture series: This interactive session will focus on some of the important implications of taking on the role of a family caregiver and provide an opportunity for you to share your experience.
Establishing Secondary School-Based Activity: Intergenerational activities to provide youth with an understanding of volunteerism and the importance of community work. Providing students from several West Island schools the opportunity to engage with isolated seniors, to be supported and motivated to establish their own volunteer community initiatives fulfilling community needs.
Establishing Partners to Help Deliver the new “Nav-CARE” program: A volunteer-based program providing accompaniment and navigation through visits for people living with serious disease in the community, provided by Residence volunteers. The Residence, with its strong volunteer base and support, has taken on implementing this program in the West Island. Partners for communication and referrals will be developed and maintained with CLSC’s, municipal public security, and home care organizations.
“We are so very grateful for the support of Mr. Derraji, making it possible to expand our compassionate community initiatives that will ultimately benefit our citizens. It is truly heartwarming to actively help with people’s wellbeing and give back to the very community that is so supportive to the Residence”
Dale Weil, Executive Director to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence and the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care.
“I am pleased to announce, this Holiday Season, my support for an initiative that implements several innovative techniques such as Nav-Care, under the guidance of reliable and credible partners. I am even more proud to highlight and support the vision, the work and the leadership of the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence as well as its Institute and Foundation for the dissemination of their excellent practices both in Quebec and across Canada. Keeping our seniors, our vulnerable people, weakened by illness and isolated at home for as long as possible is important for the individual, his or her family and for the community as a whole,"
Monsef Derraji, MNA for Nelligan.
The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence is an independent, non-profit organization that provides services free of charge to patients and their families. The Residence relies on community support and fundraising activities to raise more than $3.8 million each year, which complements our government subsidy. With its 23 beds, the Residence is the largest free-standing palliative care facility in Canada and is recognized as a leader in its field. Since our inception, we have provided end-of-life care for over 5,000 patients and 20,000 family members.
In 2018, the Residence founded the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care. Approximately 70 % of Canadians do not have access to comprehensive, quality palliative care. Its mission is to extend the benefits of best-in-class palliative care to as many patients and families as possible through education, knowledge exchange, and research. Their ultimate goal is to increase access to palliative care for all Canadians and to continuously improve the quality of the care provided.
SOURCE: The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence
