For many, the word “hospice” brings to mind the end of life; grief and final goodbyes, but for Hospice Orillia, this kind of care is about something much more hopeful.

“The biggest misconception is that hospice means you’re actively dying,” said Amanda Tevelde, communications, fundraising and community relations specialist at Hospice Orillia. “Hospice is about improving quality of life and that can begin at the moment of diagnosis.”

Hospice Orillia helps people live well. As a community hospice, its team meets clients wherever they call home; whether that means a long-term care facility, a hospital room or their own home. “We’re lucky as a community hospice because we can start serving clients much sooner, sometimes from the day they’re diagnosed,” Tevelde explained.

That early connection makes a world of difference. The staff carefully places volunteers where they will be a good fit, offering companionship, emotional support and caregiver relief; which often just means being a steady presence for families.

“Everyone deserves the best quality of life possible,” Tevelde continued. “We take great care to make sure every volunteer-client match is the right fit.”

That careful and efficient fit is something valued by the families they serve because the need for hospice care can come on suddenly.

“People don’t usually think about hospice until they need it,” Tevelde shared. It can often seem uncomfortable, she continues: “If you want to end a conversation quickly, tell people you work at a hospice.”

While the stigma still exists, the perception is slowly changing as more people realize hospice care can begin long before life’s final days. “We’ve supported people for years after a diagnosis,” Tevelde says. “It’s not just about the final weeks.”

The organization is bigger than any building, covering more than 800 square kilometres around Orillia. They have a small but dedicated team of five staff members and about 35 volunteers working throughout the region.

Over the past few years, Hospice Orillia has grown and evolved to meet new needs. “COVID opened up a whole new way of supporting our community, from virtual memorials to phone-based grief support,” Tevelde says.

The hospice now offers both in-person and virtual grief programs, including support for overdose related losses, adult-child loss and pregnancy or infant loss. “We’ve definitely seen more complex grief cases,” she adds. “So we’ve expanded to make sure no one is left without support.”

Hospice Orillia also works closely with Mariposa House, notably on their joint fundraiser Hike for Hospice, which takes place in the spring.

“Both of our organizations play vital roles in supporting families,” Tevelde shares. That collaboration reflects the heart of hospice care; compassion, connection and dignity. “Everyone deserves the best quality of life possible,” she says. “That’s what hospice is all about.”

Like so many hospices in Ontario, Hospice Orillia is only partially funded by the government and relies on community support for the rest. That makes the year-end giving season essential. “It’s the biggest giving time of year,” Tevelde says. “And when something like the Canada Post strike happens, it affects every charity.”

With delays in mail delivery, the hospice’s largest donor outreach—their annual newsletter appeal for support—may not reach the community effectively to meet their year-end goal.

How you can help

“Sharing our information with people who might benefit from our services is one of the biggest ways the community can help,” Tevelde says. Spreading awareness ensures that families know where to turn for support when they need it.

This giving season, you can contribute to Hospice Orillia by donating, volunteering or simply sharing their story. As Tevelde puts it, hospice isn’t about dying. It’s about living well, with care and purpose, right to the very end.

You can learn more about Hospice Orillia and donate directly at https://hospiceorillia.ca/.

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