BARRIE ADVANCE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 7th 2010 - Despite its end-of-life focus, Hospice House is not clouded with death.

“It’s not just about how you want to die,” says palliative nurse Mona Desroches, who dismisses the notion of doom and gloom. “It’s about how you want to live until death comes.”

Instead, she describes the ambiance of the house as welcoming and safe, which is essential considering each resident and their families or loved ones are considered one unit – what affects one, affects them all.

“There’s a whole team of people working to make people feel safe,” she explains, including the volunteers and non-medical staff as well. “It’s a wonderful beginning. When you feel safe, we can work on the rest.”

Although many residents have received an end-of-life diagnosis, death isn’t immediate.

“They’re going to live until they die,” she says logically. “That’s what palliative is about: how do we facilitate the best quality of life, which can change day to day, for that patient and their loved ones.”

Hospice Simcoe’s entire complement of services works with anyone who has received a life-threatening diagnosis, regardless of prognosis, and their loved ones. The new residential facility at 336 Penetanguishene Rd. specializes in helping those who are experiencing a more imminent death. The average stay is three weeks. But the focus is still on the remaining life, even while preparing for death.

Rather than finding her vocation depression, however, she is repeatedly uplifted by the work she does.

“I just love it. There’s nothing more fulfilling,” reflects Desroches, who comes to the Barrie-based facility from her previous role as the palliative care team leader at Penetanguishene’s hospital. She is one of a team of Saint Elizabeth Health Care registered nurses, registered practical nurses and personal support workers providing 24-hour on-site palliative care. “I find it (death and dying) is probably the most important time in a person’s life journey, not only for the person dying, but also for the family.”

In a hospital setting, palliative care beds are often set among those reserved for medical or surgical patients, and the time-sensitive priorities of an acute-care environment often requires health-care professionals to forego the non-medical aspects of care.

“They’re really trying to honour palliative care now, but the environment is the big challenge,” says Desroches.

At Hospice House, there are no competing priorities.

Time is dedicated to caring for residents and their loved ones from a holistic perspective. Physical requirements are dealt with in conjunction with emotional, spiritual and social considerations.

“It’s not a happy ending, but it’s a normal ending,” she says describing death after living. “I guess that’s why we don’t see it as a sad thing. We see it as a very normal part of life’s journey.

“For a person working in palliative care, you have to be comfortable with that,” she adds. “You have to have looked at your own death and dying and come to terms with that.”

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