Hospice presentation reinforces positivity on addressing end-of-life challenges

Melissa McManus, a registered social worker, and Fred Verboom, board director at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth, will present at the Stratford Public Library on Living a Good Death: Positive Approaches to End-of-Life.

Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth recently educated the community on end-of-life preparations and addressed the uncomfortable conversations that go with it. 

In collaboration with Stratford Public Library’s Aging with Agility series funded through the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program grant, Living a Good Death: Positive Approaches to End-of-Life was presented by Melissa McManus, a registered social worker and Fred Verboom, a board director at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth, at the Stratford Public Library on Feb.11. 

Free admission and open to all from the community, the presentation addressed the topic of end-of-life planning where every participant received an advanced-planning-care booklet. 

Conversations were brought up around what quality of life means to every individual, such as home of choice and referring to hospice when approaching the final month. There was also a focus on social engagement, meaningful aging and encouragement for older adults to connect with their health team  

“Our goal is to be seen as a resource in the community where people can call us and we can provide more specific resources, and they can join some of the bereavement groups and counselling sessions,” said McManus. 

Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth is collaborating with VON Home and Community Care on a community grief and wellness event on March 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The in-person event will take place at the hospice main facility at 80 Greenwood Dr. and will feature presentations from virtual guest speakers Dr. Alan Wolfelt and Rami Shami. The event will be broadcasted over Zoom at locations in Listowel, St. Marys and Mitchell. 

I think it’s important for the topic of end of life to be discussed because we tend to be a death-denying society, not wanting to think about it or thinking it won’t happen to us,” said McManus. “I think when we have some of these conversations sooner, there can be many beautiful moments during the end of life”. 

To register for the in-person event or webinar, register on through the Eventbrite page, “Caring for a soul,” or email Melissa at melissam.@rotaryhospice.ca.