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SUSSEX Over 340 people recently enjoyed the music of Bob Burgess and Friends along with musicians Leon Daigle, Micah MacLennan, Austin McGinnis, Donna Chase, Cyril MacNeil, Mike and Kathy Corey, Mike Swift, Harry Brittin and Donna Stephenson, Reg Gallant, Dale Butland, Winston Crawford with special guests Jacqueline Guptill and Living Water Quartet.

The evening of toe tapping entertainment raised over $2,400 for Hospice Sussex. This is the first successful fundraiser for Hospice Sussex for the year 2008.

Raising awareness

National Hospice Palliative Care Week 2008 is taking place across Canada May 4-10. The goal is to raise awareness about hospice palliative care and to celebrate, recognize, and share the achievements of hospice palliative care throughout the nation. It is a great opportunity to educate the community members about hospice palliative care and related issues.

This year, Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation would like to recognize the dedicated work of our Extra Mural teams who strive to provide patients facing death with the care they deserve, right in their own home.

One person who knows the Extra Mural team well is Linda Homenick of Sussex. Linda was able to access Extra Mural palliative care services for both her mother and her father, although almost 15 years apart.

"Our family is very close," said Linda. "In fact, my parents lived right across the street from me and I've always been very involved in their care. I've cared for them at home and I am eternally grateful that they were able to pass away at home."

Linda's most recent experience with Extra Mural came when her father's prostate cancer progressed. Linda describes her father, Gerald MacKenzie, as a very independent, active person.

"He spent most of his life outdoors," explained Linda.

Therefore, maintaining his independence during end of life care was very important to the family.

In late 2007, when Mr. MacKenzie became increasingly ill, Julie Baker, the Extra Mural nurse responsible for Mr. MacKenzie's care, visited weekly and then almost daily.

"My father became so close to the nurses responsible for his care," said Linda. "They were so supportive, so professional, and so kind and gentle.

"We became very dependant on Julie and the Extra Mural team. You really build a strong relationship with the care givers and they made us feel like the needs of my father were a top priority."

Linda indicates that without the support from Extra Mural, her father would not have been able to remain at home.

"Caring for my father was difficult; the medication was complicated and tedious. Julie would help us understand what needed to be done and suggest new things for us to try to make my father more comfortable. She was also our link to the physician; without her, we would not have had access to the information we needed."

The Extra Mural team also ensures families have access to a full range of personal care services. Occupational Therapists are available to help families learn how to properly lift and move patients and help with mobility. Social workers will help patients cope with the many emotions involved with end of life care.

"It was a very difficult time," said Linda. "But those Extra Mural nurses made my father's illness as dignified as it could be. And they also made his death as calm and peaceful as possible."

If you would like to learn more about Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation's Extra Mural Program, log on to www.ahsc.health.nb.ca or call 432-3145 in Sussex.

Hospice Sussex is a non-profit charitable organization fully funded by community support. Through the generosity of the community, Hospice Sussex is able to offer support programs and services for people and families touched by end of life issues. Hospice Sussex cared for over 25 people and their families this past year in the Sussex and surrounding area, providing emotional, social, practical, spiritual, and grief support, as well as information and education.

Information about the programs and services offered by Hospice Sussex can be obtained by visiting the display at the Sussex Health Centre or by contacting them at 432-5001.