2025 Activities

1. Comfort Care packages for in-home palliative care patients. Donations of specific personal care items were solicited from tri-county pharmacies, and the Society was successful in receiving 33 packages, plus miscellaneous items, which were donated to the Palliative Care Unit. Consult nurses are providing the packages to out-patients in need. Estimated value $1650.
2. Lap Quilts. The Society posted a request for lap blankets/quilts on Facebook on May 08 2025, and received the first response at 8 am the next day. As of early December, over 185 blankets/quilts have been donated. Consult nurses are providing the blankets/quilts to patients as required. Estimated value $9,000. 3.
3. Fund Raisers. The Knights of Columbus held a breakfast for the Society in April, raising $1,200, and Jade Therapies held a “Death Café” for the Society in late May, raising $210.4. 
4. Education. A Board member and a palliative care nurse, with support of the Hospice Education fund, attended a Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association Conference (NSHPCA) in Halifax in May.5. 
5. Name Change. The Hospice society changed its’ name to Tri-County Hospice Society to reflect that it supports palliative care patients within the tri-counties of Digby, Shelburne, and Yarmouth.
6. Critical Care Needs. The Society successfully applied and received a grant of $10,000 from the Tri-County Betterment Association to purchase five hearing amplifiers for use by Palliative Care Unit personnel when patients have hearing difficulty, and to assist those in need with the purchase of “Ensure/Boost”, and “Depends”. A gift card process, controlled by the Palliative Care Unit, was established and the program was initiated in September.
7. Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association. The Society signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with the NSHPCA in September 2025. The MOU will allow the parties to collaborate on advancing public understanding of hospice and palliative care, and grief and death literacy through codeveloping community-based educational/public awareness initiatives; contributing to each other’s social networks; creating opportunities for mutual learning as well as joint advocacy and joint fundraising. Quarterly meetings are held with the NSHPCA.
8. Boston Pizza Fundraiser. The Society was selected as the charity of the month at Boston Pizza for the month of September. The amount received in donations, yet to be determined, will be received by the Society in early 2026.
9. Music Therapy. On November 06, 2025, the Society donated a piano to be placed in a section of the 4N lounge which has been designated as “Wayne Music Corner”. The piano was donated in support of an initiative led by Recreation Therapy to enhance patient care at YRH through the introduction of a music therapy program on 4N. The donation was supported with funding from the Old Ladies Home Society. The funding received will also support the costs of two Specialists completing a Music Therapy and Sound Healing Certification Program. Value $3,000.
10. Meetings with NS Health. Several Society members are meeting with NS Health personnel on a regular basis to ensure that the partnership continues to work together to support the needs of Palliative Care patients and families in the Tri-Counties.                        Upcoming Activities  
    The Society continues to advocate for a dedicated Palliative Care Unit within the Hospital.