How We Help
We support families throughout the time at the end of life.
From care and respite in your home to 24/7 care at Huron Hospice Bender House, and loss and grief support for children, youth and adults, we provide a full range of services.
Bender House
Community Hospice
Grief Services
Resources
Bender House
Round-the-clock care in a rural home-like setting.
Bender House is a peaceful and home-like setting where residents and their families receive excellent palliative care, provided by our clinical and non-clinical team members as well as remarkable volunteers. Families are welcomed into this space, invited to make it their “home away from home” and to make moments matter. All those working and volunteering at Bender House are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, whether for a few hours, days, or weeks.
There is always someone available to answer any questions you may have. During business hours (8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday), Heather Hunter, Director of Clinical Services, can be reached at 519-525-7290. After hours, the nursing team can be reached at 519-606-6600.
For a virtual tour of the Bender House, click here.
How is a referral made?
A referral can be made by anyone (self, family members, friends, physicians, clergy, health care, and social service professionals). A Care Coordinator will complete an assessment and referral prior to your admission to Huron Hospice. Contact Home and Community Care Support Services at 1-800-811-5146.
Admissions are based on an assessment tool that identifies the person most in need of the bed. Length of time on the referral list is not considered when prioritizing patients for admission.
The nursing team is available 24/7 to answer questions. Call 519-606-6600.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Meagan Nolan
CLINICAL STAFF
We employ an expert team of nurses (RN and RPN) with advanced training in palliative care and rely on a specially trained team of volunteers to provide care 24 hours a day.
“We arrived at Huron Hospice after my husband spent a month in hospital. I say “we” because, although my husband was the one who was admitted, the hospice became very much my home away from home during his stay.
Wife of Bender House resident
In Your Home
When your loved one wishes to die at home.
For over 30 years, Huron Hospice has been providing in-home support and compassionate care to people with life-limiting illnesses. A specially trained hospice volunteer will come to your home, hospital, or long-term care facility to offer companionship and emotional support as you travel through this part of your journey.
Caregiver Relief
Caring for a loved one who is ill can be physically and emotionally challenging. Our volunteers can provide opportunities for caregivers to take much-needed breaks to rest or take time for themselves.
Legacy Activities
We can help you create lasting keepsakes for family members and friends that serve as a reminder of who you are and what you love.
Grief Support
Volunteers can extend their skills to offer comfort to grieving loved ones throughout the palliative care journey.
For more information on home hospice supports, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Kelli McGregor at 519-525-8648 or kelli.mcgregor@huronhospice.ca.
“I wasn’t sure my mom would accept a hospice volunteer visitor but it turned into a very positive experience where she shared memories and stories that made her laugh again, and she very much looked forward to those visits from her volunteer. We were so thankful for the wonderful service.”
Rose, Daughter of Home Hospice Client
Grief Services
Learn to manage your feelings of grief. Don’t let your feelings manage you.
Grief is the natural reaction to loss, and we will all experience grief in our lifetime. Grief does not necessarily “wait” to happen until after a death. It can broadside us when we get a depressing diagnosis or anticipate the death of a loved one. It could be caused by job loss, financial crisis or the breakdown of a relationship. It may happen soon after a loss, or it could be triggered months or years later.
When is the best time to seek support? When you feel like you are carrying a heavy burden on your shoulders. Anytime is the right time. We always have time to listen and to support you. Huron Hospice trained staff and volunteers are skilled listeners, attuned to the needs of those we serve.
MYTHS ABOUT GRIEF
“Time heals all wounds.” - “Replace the loss.” - “Grieve alone” - “Be strong for others.” - “Bury your feelings.”
RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE
Whether your loss is the result of death, divorce, loss of a job, or childhood issues (recent or in the past), we can help.
The Grief Recovery Method - 8 weeks that will change your life
An Action Program for moving beyond death, divorce, and other losses.
Our 8-week Grief Recovery Method program is designed to help you work through the pain, isolation and loneliness caused by loss of any kind. Certified Grief Recovery Specialists will help to equip you with the tools to resolve the emotions that are causing you pain. This confidential group offers you the opportunity to share and connect with others who have also experienced a significant loss, without analysis, judgment, or criticism.
Grief is normal. We have been socialized to believe that these feelings are abnormal and unnatural. You have a broken heart, not a broken brain. Join us to find out how.
This is not a drop-in style group format. Your weekly attendance at the course is vital for maximum benefit in the healing process.
The Next Chapter - A 6-week group for spousal loss.
We explore the healing journey by understanding emotions and what you may be experiencing in terms of grief and loss. You will explore ways to care for yourself while grieving and embracing your unique experiences.
HUUG - Help Us Understand Grief.
This is a children's program for children aged 4-17 years. We offer a grief kit that includes a grief journal exploring emotions, a buddy bear, as well as a few other comfort items. We also offer support to children who may need grief education to help them understand their emotions related to grief.
For Those Who Have Lost Someone to Suicide (Support for those affected by suicide)
This program is designed to help the healing process for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. The death by suicide may be recent or many years ago. It may be the loss of someone very close to you or a more distant acquaintance. In the program, participants share ideas and strategies on how to cope, learn how grief, due to suicide, is unique and discuss and dispel myths and stigma associated with suicide. The program aims to help participants re-engage in life in a meaningful and less painful way. This is not a drop-in style group format. Your weekly attendance at the course is vital for maximum benefit in the healing process.
Follow our events page below for information on Upcoming Events groups.
For more information on these programs, please contact: Sally Brodie, Coordinator of Loss, Grief and Bereavement Programs at 519-525-6331 or sally.brodie@huronhospice.ca
“The Grief Recovery Program allowed me to find a safe place to share. A place where I was with people who understood what I was going through."
Alana, Grief Program Participant
Resources
We know people have questions about hospice palliative care. They want to know what to expect at the end and what it is like to spend time at a hospice. They also want to know about how to handle the grief that follows a loss. We do our best to answer all questions. Below you will find short videos from our nursing team. We have also included a podcast by one of our nurses. Our grief support team has put together a number of resources that may help you learn how to manage the grief felt by children and youth. You will also find a video that shows you what the inside of Bender House looks like. You can access more grief Resources at the link below.
A Life That’s Good Podcast
Nurse Lindsay Nuhn and Christopher Walker sat down with Phil and Ally Campbell-Main to discuss Huron Hospice.
We would like to take a moment to explain what happens at Huron Hospice Bender House and dispel some common misconceptions about hospice care. We encourage people to consider Huron Hospice as an option when the end of life nears. If you have questions, call Christopher at 519-525-7352 chris.walker@huronhospice.ca
Thanks to Phil and Ally.
Huron Hospice Nursing Videos
The nursing team at Huron have created a series of two-minute videos explaining what a family can expect when they arrive at Huron Hospice Bender House. A link to these videos will also be on the Facebook and Instagram pages.
What people need to know about Huron Hospice.
Can children
visit Huron Hospice?
Can people bring personal items to Huron Hospice?
Is Huron Hospice a sad place
to work?
What role does music play at Huron Hospice?
One Family’s Experience At Huron Hospice.
At our recent annual celebration, Catherine De Boer shared her family’s experiences when their mother, Martha, was at Huron Hospice. In their own words, the De Boer family told us about their time at the “No Hassle Castle.” At Bender House, we want families to know that the De Boer’s experience is not unique. The staff and volunteers do their very best to make moments matter by ensuring people die with elegance, dignity and without fear.