Cultural Considerations at End-of-Life
A panel discussion on Cultural Considerations at End-of-Life was held on October 20 ,2022 at the Gellert Community Centre in Georgetown. There were over 40 people in attendance for a very informative and interesting discussion about faith and cultural rituals, beliefs and practices at end of life.
The panel included: Rev. Steve Boose Minister at the Knox Presbyterian Church and Limeshouse Presbyterian Church, Iman Daood Butt, Director of Community Outreach and Education at the Islamic Community Centre in Milton, Harmohan Singh Parmar, Trust Secretary and Governing Official Halton Sikh Cultural Association and Rabbi Stephen Wise Shaari-Beth El Congregation, Oakville.
Panel facilitator Kristina Tesser Derkson guided the panel through a number of topics including faith and cultural practices prior to and at death, support for individuals and their families, burial and cremation beliefs and practices, role and approach to suffering, grief support and perspectives on Medical Assistance in Dying.
Townsend Smith Foundation would like to thank the panelists for participating and providing the attendees with new knowledge and insights about faith and culture and its intersection.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2020
Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz proclaimed that this Saturday, October 10th will be recognized by the Town of Milton as World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
Kate Holmes, Director of Development at Townsend Smith Hospice Foundation and Parm Gill were on hand for the flag raising to celebrate the occasion.
Townsend Smith Hospice Foundation’s mission is to provide access to palliative care for residents of Milton and Halton Hills, serving the needs of terminally ill people and their families.
Build a Place Where Families can be together with Loved Ones
Janet Townsend realized the need for a hospice when her husband Ron was diagnosed with lung cancer. “His wish was to die at home. However he also wanted us to know that should caring for him become too much physically and/or emotionally, he wanted to be placed in a hospice,” she said. Ron Townsend served as district chief of the Milton Fire Department.
There was no hospice in North Halton (Milton, or Halton Hills), or availability at other area hospices. The illness hit the family hard. “Our children Matt and Amy as well as daughter-in-law Tammy were unable
to have time with their father. Our grandson, Jake could not have time with his poppa. I did not have the time to be his wife. Those connections were lost and we all missed them so very much,” she said.
The friends and family of Tessie Smith, a local Tai Chi instructor had a similar idea. The two groups began working together and formed the Townsend Smith Foundation. “Our goal is to build a place where families can be together with their loved ones as they begin their end-of-life journey in a gentle, dignified way. Everyone should be able to have that time together, to just be there for each other,” Townsend said.
The Townsend Smith Foundation is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency. It is guided by a volunteer board of directors. The foundation has embarked on a capital campaign to fund the building, and equipment for a 10-bed residential hospice in North Halton.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
On Saturday, October 12 2019, something extraordinary is going to happen.
People from around the world who have been impacted by a life-limiting illness — either personally or by supporting a loved one — will be making their voices heard, asking policy makers to pay attention to prioritize palliative care policies and services. Further, people who have been standing in solidarity with them — local leaders, volunteers, advocates, clinicians — will be volunteering their time to amplify this public message: Palliative Care: it’s “My Care, My Right.”
Full details please visit: http://www.thewhpca.org/about