Celebrating 15 years of providing a comfortable conclusion
The History of Bethell Hospice
Bethell Hospice, a beacon of comfort and compassion nestled in the hills of Caledon, has a rich history rooted in community spirit and dedication. Established more than 15 years ago, it was born out of the collective vision of local leaders like Lorna Bethell, who recognized the dire need for a dedicated end-of-life care facility in their community.
“If you met Lorna and know the original story, you know that Bethell came from the community. Leaders like Lorna said this community needs end-of-life hospice,” said Margaret Paan, the Executive Director of Bethell Hospice.
Bethell’s inspiration is unique, tragic, heart warming, and an inspiration to the world. Her husband, Tony Bethell, was a solider in World War II, and a prisoner of that war. His experiences would inspire the movie, The Great Escape, but also, the funding of the construction of Bethell Hospice that Lorna would dedicate herself to after his passing.
“He watched so many people die alone,” Lorna said during an interview in 2010. “Face down in a ditch, it was one of the experiences of the war he would not get over, watching his friends, his colleagues, his fellow soldiers, die alone. One thing Tony always said after the war, was that no one should die alone.”
In 2010, Bethell Hospice welcomed its first resident, marking the beginning of a profoundly impactful journey. Initially, the hospice offered 10 beds, a number that has remained constant, serving as a sanctuary for those in their final days. The bricks and mortar of Bethell Hospice were set up in 2009, and by early May 2010, the facility was fully operational, providing a haven of peace and comfort.
Over the years, Bethell Hospice has grown, expanding its community programs and integrating with Hospice Dufferin to become the sole provider of community hospice programs for Dufferin-Caledon and a partner hospice providing community care in Brampton (Hospice Mississauga provides some services in Brampton as well). This integration has allowed Bethell Hospice to extend its reach, offering a full spectrum of palliative care services, including in-home support, spiritual care, and bereavement counseling.
Evolution and Growth
The journey of Bethell Hospice has been one of continuous growth and adaptation. Initially, Bethell Hospice was known as Hospice Caledon, providing community-based care before expanding to include a hospice residence. In recent years, Bethell Hospice has focused on growing its community programs once more, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals and families across the region.
Paan highlights the importance of community involvement in Bethell Hospice’s success.
“Year after year, people dig in. Whether volunteer hours or digging into pocketbooks and supporting us. Really, the community is what makes Bethell Hospice work.”
And this unwavering community support has been instrumental in maintaining the high quality of care that Bethell Hospice is known for.
In addition to community support, Bethell Hospice relies on a dedicated team of skilled professionals and volunteers.
“We have more than 135 volunteers that support the house as well as the external functions,” said Paan. These volunteers, along with the paid staff, create a nurturing and compassionate environment for residents and their families.
Hospice Care vs. Hospital Care
The distinction between hospice care and hospital care is significant, particularly for those facing the end of life. While hospitals provide acute care, focusing on curing illnesses and extending life, hospices like Bethell Hospice prioritize comfort, dignity, and quality of life in a compassionate, home-like setting.
Paan, who has extensive experience in both hospital and hospice settings, underscores this difference.
“Hospitals deliver wonderful care, but their care is acute care. Their care is funded that way and intended to be provided that way. It isn’t a bad thing. But it isn’t a place to die. Typically, not a place where the majority of most people want to die. Whereas hospice, that is what we do. Our only focus is caring for people at the end of their life, and on the day they actually die.”
One of the most profound benefits of hospice care is the personalized approach to each resident’s needs. Bethell Hospice offers flexibility in daily routines, allowing residents to dictate their schedules.
“If someone wants to have dinner at 3 p.m., we will make that. We don’t have to follow a regimen. So instead of people feeling they’re on our clock, we are on their clock,” said Paan.
This personalized care extends beyond physical needs, addressing emotional and spiritual well-being. Bethell Hospice’s holistic approach includes offering culturally appropriate care, spiritual support, and bereavement counseling.
“Our team is really good at living within those spaces that are more difficult,” Paan said. “We take care of people every day. People only die one day, but every other day, they are living, and we want them to live the best days they can.”
Benefits for Families
For families, the transition to hospice care can be a significant relief. The burden of caregiving, often shouldered by family members at home, is shared with a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers. This support allows families to focus on spending quality time with their loved ones, creating meaningful memories in their final days.
Anne and Allan Thompson have had two family members receive care at Bethell Hospice, highlight the profound impact of this support. They recall the relief she felt when Allan’s mother was moved to Bethell Hospice.
“You could feel a weight because it had been all on us. To know there is now a team that is there to provide comfort and nourish her – and not just her,” Anne said. “Before COVID the food or soup or whatever, the lunches, would be made available to the families, and I can remember to this day, volunteers making potato dumpling soup. And it was like a hug in a mug. It encapsulated in a meal the comfort, love and effort you feel from the staff and volunteers there.”
The emotional support provided by hospice staff and volunteers is invaluable. “At Bethell, they talk to you about what is happening, where in the journey you are, what you can expect, and it’s invaluable. To me, that’s what makes a good death,” Anne said.
The Volunteer Impact
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Bethell Hospice, providing essential support to both residents and their families. Their contributions go beyond practical assistance, offering emotional support and creating a warm, welcoming environment.
Kim McNamara, whose 99-year-old aunt received care at Bethell Hospice, praised the volunteers for their hospitality and dedication.
“As soon as the ambulance arrived, we were greeted at the door by a wonderfully welcoming and engaging person. It immediately felt like a relief. She was in a very welcoming, warm-hearted environment.”
The presence of volunteers ensures that residents receive personalized attention and care, tailored to their individual needs.
“The volunteers at Bethell Hospice were phenomenal. They were warm, welcoming, engaging, immensely helpful, and catered to the needs of the patient. They made her stay wonderful and peaceful,” McNamara said.
Creating a Home-Like Environment
One of the defining features of Bethell Hospice is its commitment to creating a home-like environment for residents. Unlike the sterile, clinical settings of hospitals, Bethell Hospice offers a warm and comforting atmosphere, complete with gardens, family rooms, and personalized spaces.
Allan Thompson describes the difference between hospital and hospice settings as night and day, but both deserving their praise. Hospitals are the sight for emergencies, for saving lives, for diagnosing disease, and they serve a great purpose to society. But in palliative care, when you know the end is near, there is no comparison. Allan has held the hand of a family member who is dying, while standing in a hospital hallway, as well as in the warm rooms of Bethell Hospice.
“Hospitals are sterile and antiseptic, and Bethell is warm and comforting. Every single room has a beautiful setting, a patio view, opens into the gardens, and the army of volunteers share their gift.”
The physical environment at Bethell Hospice plays a crucial role in providing comfort and peace to residents. Kim McNamara said the experience Bethell created reformed her aunt’s ending from a tragedy to a celebration, at least in some senses.
“The room she was in, the position of the bed which was purposeful, had a view of the forest and well-stocked bird feeders, so the wildlife outside was a gift to my aunt that made her so happy and so peaceful.”
Community Involvement and Fundraising
Bethell Hospice’s continued operation relies heavily on community support and fundraising efforts. Each year, the hospice needs to raise $1.8 million to keep its doors open, a testament to the community’s dedication and generosity.
Allan Thompson was previously a councillor, a regional councillor, and until he decided not to run again, the Mayor of Caledon. As a family member who has been within Bethell Hospice, and an elected representative tasked with finding ways to support it, he has been on all sides of the fundraising need.
“The Hike for Hospice is really needed. (The Hike for Bethell Hospice is one of several annual signature fundraising events the facility runs) Anne and I have been doing the hikes for many, many years now, and what’s really cool as a community is to watch any of the events. At the Christmas Light & Love event, all the families that come back, the way they interact, the way they care about Bethell Hospice, it shows what this facility means to people, what it does for families, and it makes supporting it in any way possible not just an easy thing to do, but something you look forward to. When needed Bethell is there for families. And once you’ve needed it, you want to find every way you can to support it, to help it, to share it with others.”
These events not only provide essential funding but also strengthen the sense of community and solidarity.
“There used to be an event where they would close off the runway at the Brampton Caledon airport,” Anne Thompson said. “They would light up the runway with candles, and there is such a solemness to it when you walk the long runway with the candles lit.”
To honour the 15th Anniversary of Bethell Hospice, and as part of Hospice Palliative Care Week in Caledon, a flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Town of Caledon Municipal Office on Tuesday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m.
The community is welcome to join in this celebration.
The Future of Bethell Hospice
Looking ahead, Bethell Hospice aims to continue its mission of providing compassionate end-of-life care and expanding its services to reach more individuals and families in need. The integration with Hospice Dufferin and the ongoing community support are crucial in achieving these goals.
“With this integration in the north, Bethell is hoping to play a more significant role across the region. We are talking with our Ontario Health Team (OHT) to see what else we can do to bring our expertise and resources out even further,” Paan said.
Conclusion
Bethell Hospice stands as a testament to the power of community, compassion, and dedication. From its humble beginnings to its current role as a leading provider of hospice care, Bethell Hospice has remained true to its mission of offering comfort, respectful care, dignity, and peace to those facing the end of life.
The stories of families like the Thompson’s and McNamara are a reminder of the profound impact that hospice care can have on both the individual and their loved ones. As Bethell Hospice continues to grow and evolve, it remains a monument of hope and compassion, embodying the belief that every person deserves a good death.
“These are the people that brought you into the world, had an impact on somebody, on your life, they have given so much to society,” Allan Thompson said. “Are they not entitled to have the best they can have in their final moments after everything that’s been given. That is what hospice care is, and that is what Bethell Hospice provides. I encourage everybody to get involved with hospice care before they need it. Learn about it. Participate in it. Volunteer at it. Fundraise for it. Visit it. We can offer no greater gift to those who came before us, than dignity, peace and comfort when they have to leave us.”
Bethell Hospice is more than just a place. It is a community of people dedicated to making the final journey of life as peaceful and dignified as possible. It is a place where love, compassion, and humanity come together to create a beautiful and meaningful end-of-life experience.
Or as families, volunteers, staff and palliative care workers agree, it is a place where they can all support a good death.
For more information on volunteering at Bethell Hospice, please contact their Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@bethellhospice.org or call 905-838-3534, ext. 2247.