Supportive Care

Bereavement Resources

Grief is a natural part of the palliative journey for the Patient and their Family, and is not reserved for end-of-life alone, but a part of each symptom, diagnosis, and shift throughout the final chapter of the Patient’s life.  Since the processing of losses can be an integral part of acceptance and peace, Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw offer this Bereavement Resource Handbook to support the emotional journey of the Patient and their family from Anticipated Mourning to Bereavement to the Hope that is possible by doing the healing griefwork.

Care for the Caregiver Resources

While the Hospice Patient is receiving holistic care to support their end-of-life days, Heartland Hospice wants to honour the role of the Family Caregivers and offer resources to support their wellbeing. There can be a high toll on the Caregiver, and so we offer this “Care for the Caregiver Handbook” which highlights the value of self care for their body, mind and spirit and offers information resources for all.

Journaling the Story of My Life

It is natural at the end of life to experience a “Life Review”, and it can be a very cathartic process for the Patient to journal (or have someone scribe) the story of their life.  It is not only a healing journey for the Patient, but can be a very healing and insightful experience for the Family. Heartland Hospice offers this Journaling tool with “prompts” to support the telling and memorializing of the Patient’s story.

Spiritual Care Resources

The holistic wellbeing of the Heartland Hospice Patients and their Families is our highest priority; therefore, supporting spiritual care and connections to those resources that nurture spirit is seen as invaluable.  We would like to offer some suggestions on ways to honour the needs of the spirit of the Patient and their Family through this Spiritual Care Resource.

Comfort Choir

Comfort choirs are small groupings of 3-4 singers who share their gift of music at the bedside of patients in palliative care, hospice, care homes as well as in their own home. Moose Jaw is blessed to have one such Comfort Choir. They are available to visit Heartland Hospice upon request, and have a large repertoire of secular and spiritual favourites to draw upon, offering their gentle presence and soothing music to the patient’s side.

“It’s just a lovely type of gift we hope to be able to offer people who are facing some challenges,” said Tara Gish, coordinator of the Comfort Choir. “We certainly want to be patient-centered and responsive to what patients want to hear. But of course, the whole idea is that it’s not entertainment, it’s an offering of a gift.”
(Tara Gish interview with Moose Jaw Express)

Once COVID restrictions are lifted, the Comfort Choir will be available to share their gift of music by contacting:
Tara Gish – tara2gryphon@gmail.com or 306-690-8992 (texts please)
Or Joan Stumborg at 306-630-5249

“Music has healing power.
It has the ability to take people
out of themselves for a little while.”
Elton John

MY WISH Program

What is My Wish?

The ‘My Wish’ Program is coordinated by Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw to assist terminally ill individuals who are seeking peace and closure with the realization of a final wish. Wishes are intended to be simple and carry little cost, but be rich in meaning for patients, families, and health care providers. Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw has partnered with other community agencies and sponsors to make an individual’s wish come true.

Annual Memorial Ceremony

As a way of honouring the memory of those who have lived their life’s end at Heartland Hospice, we offer an Annual Memorial Ceremony.  In the sanctuary of the outdoors, we will gather in the Heartland Hospice Serenity Garden for a “Heartlight’s” Memorial Ceremony.  This Memorial Ceremony will offer an opportunity for the Families served by Heartland Hospice in the past year to return to the hospice’s sacred grounds, and lift up the name and memory of their Beloveds in the safety of those surroundings, with others who understand.

Advanced Care Planning

While end-of-life conversations can feel difficult, they can be some of the most crucial conversations between a Patient and their Family.  Having directives in place while a Patient is capable of doing so can make the final chapter more manageable with the Patient’s wishes being known, alleviating guesswork.  As a way of supporting such crucial conversations, Heartland Hospice offers this Advanced Care Planning Resource to assist Patients and their Families in end-of-life conversations and decision making.