Bethell Hospice

Bethell Hospice is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate and respectful hospice palliative care to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses and their families. The organization is registered under the business number 140038167RR0001.

History

Founded in 1990 originally as Hospice Caledon, the organization initially focused on providing in-home support to individuals with terminal illnesses as well as their caregivers and families. In April 2010, the organization was renamed Bethell Hospice coinciding with the opening of its ten-bed hospice residence in Inglewood, Ontario. This residence marked a significant expansion to a more comprehensive model of care, offering 24-hour nursing and symptom management in a residential setting.

The hospice is named after Lorna Bethell, whose personal experiences with family members facing terminal illness inspired the creation of a dedicated facility where individuals could die with dignity, free from pain, and surrounded by loved ones. Lorna's advocacy was driven by the desire to prevent lonely deaths and to relieve families from the burden of direct care, while still providing a home-like environment for end-of-life support.

Services

Bethell Hospice provides 24-hour care at its residential facility located in Inglewood. The hospice also offers various community programs designed to support individuals who remain in their own homes. All services and programs are provided free of charge, ensuring access regardless of financial circumstances.

The organization welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, and religions, emphasizing dignity and comfort as the cornerstones of its care philosophy. The professional care team at Bethell Hospice includes nursing staff, social workers, and psychosocial spiritual care providers, who collectively address pain and symptom management as well as emotional and spiritual support.

Funding and Support

Bethell Hospice receives partial funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health, which covers direct care costs such as nursing and medical staff. However, this government funding does not extend to necessary operational expenses including medical and food supplies, bedding, linens, or facility maintenance. To bridge this funding gap and maintain high standards of care, the Bethell Hospice Foundation raises over $1.7 million annually through community support and fundraising efforts.

Coverage Area

Bethell Hospice serves the communities of Caledon, Brampton, and Dufferin County, standing as the only hospice residence serving this broad region. Its services encompass a wide range of end-of-life care needs, including support for patients with cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, renal disease, infectious diseases, and anticipatory grief and bereavement.

Bethell Hospice remains a key institution in the Ontario healthcare landscape, dedicated to enhancing quality of life for patients with life-limiting conditions and providing comfort and support for their families during difficult times.