Hospice Muskoka announces new program
Hospice Muskoka announces new program
Hospice Muskoka (HM) announced a new program, in the April 1, 2025, Bracebridge General Committee meeting.
In addition to their existing hospice facility, Andy’s House, in Port Carling, Executive Director, Donna Kearney, said they will be opening two new satellite locations. One will be in Bracebridge and the other in Gravenhurst between 2026-2027 to provide care for growing palliative care needs and access “closer to home.”
Kearney said the goal of the new locations is to “be here, close in the community for people when they need it.”
According to her report, 61% of people they served between 2012 to 2020 were Bracebridge residents. The remaining 39% were from Gravenhurst, with zero in Muskoka Lakes.
From 2020 to 2024, 49% were from Bracebridge, 32% from Gravenhurst, and 19% from Muskoka Lakes.
Kearney advised that the satellite locations will offer support services for pain, grief, advanced care planning, and caregiver education.
She expressed the importance of knowing how to properly care for loved ones at home. “We need to teach people and walk with them, so they know how to care,” she said.
The program will also offer home visits by a nurse practitioner for palliative care, pain and symptom management, a social worker for counselling, and they’ll be partnering with the Trillium Lakeland District School Board to provide grief education to children and youth.
Councillor members pointed out that the satellite locations will provide services closer to South Memorial Hospital and reduce the need for beds and alternative long-term care at hospitals.
Kearney agreed, advising that it will mean less visits to hospital emergency departments. She added, “Palliative used to go to the hospital, not anymore.” She said it’s not something retirement homes offer either, so it’s a necessary part of hospice services to support wellness, dignity and comfort.
Councillor, Debbie Vernon, inquired about what the satellite locations will look like.
Kearney advised that security will be important, given that they will have medications on site, so, they’ll have alarms and cameras. They will also have rooms for a clinic, counselling, and educational purposes, like grief and bereavement groups.
Mayor, Rick Maloney, praised the initiatives, saying, “Where would we be if Hospice Muskoka was not in our community?” He referred to them as a “caring, welcoming, understanding, and loving,” given the hospice home and services they provide.
