An end-of-life program is working its way back to providing all its services to the public.
Elliot Lake Palliative Care Program administrator Sylvie Ferland says the only services they could offer were over the phone or virtually during the pandemic, and that has made it difficult for staff and clients alike.
She says the program provided clients who were hospitalized or receiving supports at home with virtual devices to allow them to talk to family and access the help they need.
Ferland says the program stakeholders now want to return to normal with palliative hospice volunteers, and she plans to hold a volunteer training program in September.
If accepted, the volunteer would take a 30-hour course at the hospital for free and receive official accreditation.
Volunteers must also have had their two COVID-19 vaccinations, and submit to a Vulnerable Sector Check by the OPP.
She says volunteers they are sending out now have been totally screened and totally vaccinated.
Volunteers would be expected to spend two to four hours during the day with clients, while their night-time hours would depend on what they want to do.
She adds the course is free and the police background check is paid for by the program.
At the end of the training course, they get a certificate, and the course is accredited by the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario, the association of which the Elliot Lake Palliative Care Program is a member.
Ferland says they also offer bereavement counselling, but because of the pandemic, neither she nor volunteers, could hold face-to-face sessions.
Since the Elliot Lake Palliative Care Program cannot hold fundraisers because of the pandemic, and their funds are limited, they do accept donations, which are tax deductible.
Those interested in becoming a volunteer with the Elliot Lake Palliative Care Program or making a donation, can call Ferland at 705-848-7182, ext. 2207.
