A new hospice program in Chatham-Kent is giving patients a chance to take one last end-of-life journey with their loved ones.
Chatham-Kent EMS and the Chatham-Kent Hospice have partnered to create the Lasting Memories Program, which allows palliative patients to take a day trip to a location of their choosing.
The program helps families create lasting memories of their loved ones in the final days through a trip to the farm, a ride to the lake, or enjoying a sporting event.
Local paramedic Jon Benoit was credited for helping to get the program off the ground by coordinating services between the hospice and Medavie Health Services.
“Medavie is really good about letting us use their ambulances and helping get this program running and supporting us through it… but the medics doing the actual program, it’s all volunteer time,” he said.
Staff at the hospice work with families on coordinating the outing with volunteer paramedics, who escort them throughout the excursion, alleviating any health or medical concerns.
Benoit said he reached out to fellow paramedics in neighbouring communities with similar programs, to give him an understanding of how best to run the Lasting Memories Program in Chatham-Kent.
“It’s nice that our members are willing to step up and do that for our community,” he said. “I think paramedics [in general] are very giving people and are always looking out for everybody else. I think this is a way that we can just give back.”
For the inaugural first ride, hospice resident Sandra, and her family visited C.M. Wilson Conservation Area for the afternoon to enjoy the fresh air and a picnic lunch.
“That was the first one of hopefully many,” said Benoit.
The Chatham-Kent Hospice currently offers end-of-life care to up to 10 patients at its residential facility in Chatham.