Hospice Erie Shores provides families and friends with the

opportunity to honour a loved one with a lasting tribute on

the Tree of Remembrance. Personalized plaques can be

purchased as leaves, acorns or stones, creating a special

message that can be enjoyed by all visitors to the Hospice.

Each plaque is a testament to the life of a loved one who

spent time at Hospice Erie Shores Campus. Please contact

Alycia Bento at LDMH Foundation (519-326-2372 Ext. 4143)

for more information.

“How beautifully the leaves grow old

How full of light and colour are their last days.”

John Burroughs 1827

Tree of Remembrance

Welcome to Hospice Erie Shores Campus Leamington, Ontario

197 Talbot Road, Unit 701

History

of Erie Shores

Hospice

The Architectural Drawing

Construction Under Way

The Hospice Comfort Bear

I am a little Comfort Bear

The Hospice Ladies sewed me with

care,

From the tip of my nose, to the tip

of my toes,

I’m dressed up in my most colourful

clothes.

I’m wrapped in a cozy blanket you

see,

It’s warm and toasty and comforts

me.

I love cuddles and hugs when I’m

sad and alone,

When friends and family have all

gone home.

The Hospice Comfort Bear is

unique to Hospice Erie Shores. All

of the bears are lovingly made by

the Hospice Comfort Bear Ladies,

volunteers at both Hospice and

LDMH. The Comfort Bear, who

comes with the accompanying

card and poem, is laid on each bed

prior to the resident’s arrival. As

the name suggests, it is hoped that

it will bring comfort to residents

and their families.

Deanna King, Karen Ross and

Caroline Ascott, co-creators of

the Comfort Bear

Landscaping at the Hospice

The gardens have all

been donated and will

be planted gradually,

providing a beautiful

vista for Erie Shores

Hospice. The trees and

other plants have been

carefully chosen to

provide interest and

colour in all four sea-

sons.

The Serenity Trail runs along the

back of Hospice and connects to

the Chrysler Greenway. A section

of ERCA land, home to unique

Essex County wildlife species, lies

between the Path and Erie Shores

Hospice.

Bird feeders have been placed

outside resident rooms and park

benches are located along the

Serenity Trail.

Numerous donations,

large and small, of time,

money and effort have

made Erie Shores Hospice

a reality. For Essex County

residents, governments,

businesses, corporations

and organizations, this has

been a labour of love.

A 1.5 billion year old, 12

ton rock has come to

symbolize the “rock

solid” support of Essex

County. It occupies a

prominent spot near

the entrance to Erie

Shores Hospice.

Hospice Volunteers - Opening Day - April 11, 2016

Volunteers

at Erie Shores

Hospice

There are approximately 20 employees at Hospice Erie Shores,

but over 200 volunteers who have committed their time to

serve at Hospice. The response from the local community was

overwhelming when the call for volunteers went out. Under

the direction of Jennifer Darowski-Melnick, Manager, Volunteer

Services, Hospice Essex County, training sessions were set up to

provide all of the volunteers with the skills that would be need-

ed in a hospice setting. Our volunteers staff the reception desk,

provide tours and generally assist visitors to the Hospice. A

large group staffs the kitchen preparing meals and snacks for

residents and their families. Volunteers also assist with resident

care, respite care, gardening, energy work and wherever else

assistance is needed. If you would like to become a member of

our volunteer community, please contact Jennifer Darowski-

Melnick at Erie Shores Hospice (519-974-7100, Ext. 3420).

Leamington District Memorial

Hospital Foundation

The Leamington District Memorial Hospital Foundation has

committed to raising funds each year to provide services not

paid for by the Ministry of Health. A golf tournament, a dinner

gala and Hogs for Hospice are the major fund raisers organized

by the Foundation. There are numerous other ways to help. If

you are interested in making a donation, please contact Ross

Barnwell or Alycia Bento at LDMH Foundation (519-326-2373

Ext. 4143).

A large double sided

fresh water aquarium ,

art in a different form,

can be found in each

wing of Hospice.

Unique pieces of furniture, many of

them antiques, have been donated

to Hospice and are displayed in

family rooms and the hallways.

And for the do it yourself artist,

colouring books and materials

are available for young and old

alike.

Art Work in the Hospice

Student artwork can be

found in one wing of the

Hospice.

This lovely painting by Bev Gaffan

can be found in Miss Lizzy’s

Foundation Garden Tea Room.

“The Wonder of it All” by retired

teacher and local artist John

Haynes is displayed at one end of

the Tea Room.

Original art work is displayed throughout Hospice in patient

rooms and along the hallways. All of the art work was donated

either by local artists or by Hospice supporters.

Artist Ed Roach donated twenty

four water colour paintings, most

reflecting his pastoral style.

Art Work in the Hospice The Reception Area

The reception area is

staffed by volunteers who

welcome family members

and friends, provide tours

and answer any questions

that they might have. The

fireplace and comfy chairs

can be enjoyed by all.

The baby grand piano, the focal

point of the reception area, was

purchased by LDMH Auxiliary.

The piano is equipped with a

software program that allows

the piano to play on its own.

While volunteer pianists are

scheduled, family members are

also welcome to play. The birds

in the large mural behind the

piano are local to the area and

honour our community donors.

Every gift received, large or

small, is appreciated.

After the death of a resident,

the Remembrance Candle on the

table outside the Team /Nursing

Station is lit. The Remembrance

Candle remains lit for 24 hours

to honour a life well lived. The

Memory Book chronicles the

time spent at Hospice by each

resident.

Marg’s Kitchen provides a

state of the art facility for our

volunteers to prepare home

cooked meals and snacks for

residents and their families.

The dining room offers a

warm and welcoming at-

mosphere where residents

and family members, staff

and volunteers can chat and

enjoy each other’s company

over coffee and home made

refreshments.

Miss Lizzy’s Foundation Garden

Tea Room is a peaceful oasis on

the north side of the building and

overlooks the Serenity Path and

some of the gardens that sur-

round Hospice.

The inclusion of the Garden Tea

Room, unique to the design of

Erie Shores Hospice, was made

possible by a gracious donation

from Miss Lizzy’s Foundation.

Kitchen, Dining Area and Tea Room

There is a private Consultation

Room for conversations with

nursing staff and physicians. A

key consideration at Hospice is

privacy and confidentiality at

all times for residents and their

families.

A Comfort or Reflection Room

is available to family members

who need some quiet time to

pray, reflect or meditate.

Hospice Amenities

A Comfort Cart is found in both

wings of the Hospice should res-

idents or family members need

any personal items like tooth-

brushes or hair shampoo.

Therapeutic Touch, Energy Work

and Reiki are all complimentary

for Hospice residents.

A children’s room equipped with

toys, board games, puppet theatre,

costumes and Lego is available for

our younger visitors.

The Hospice has radiant floor heating provided by two large gas

furnaces which heat water that is piped under the floors. This

type of heating, without the bursts of air associated with typical

forced air furnaces, is exceptionally comfortable. The Hospice is

never without heat or power thanks to a backup generator.

Handwashing stations for infection control are located in both

wings of Hospice.

The Nursing/Team Room is a nursing and physician center that has

views in all directions and is equipped with the latest in electronic

monitoring and office equipment. This room is also home to the

support staff who work with the nursing team.

Behind the Scenes at Hospice

A large family room is located

in each wing of the Hospice

where family and friends can

meet, watch television, visit or

spend a quiet moment. The

family rooms can accommodate

large groups yet room dividers

can provide smaller spaces for

privacy and even educational

opportunities.

In each family room there is

a Hospice library consisting

of care notes and educational

materials.

Children’s books and other

reading material are also

available.

Hallways are wide, bright,

and cheerful and fitted with

seating areas outside patient

rooms. The high ceilings and

large windows provide a

lofty, airy feeling throughout

our Hospice.

Handrails are a safety feature

in the hallways.

Family Rooms, Libraries and Hallways

Some facts about our Patient Rooms

• Each room has a unique view of the gardens surrounding our

Hospice. Light flows in so the space is bright and cheery.

• Furniture can be moved anywhere in the suite to suit the

needs of the family.

• Each suite has a remote controlled fireplace and a comfortable

recliner.

• Patio doors open wide so that resident beds may be taken

outside.

• Each suite provides shelving so that pictures and mementos

from home can be displayed where residents can easily see

them.

• There is an under-the-counter fridge so residents and their

family members can enjoy special treats from home.

• There is ample storage space in each suite.

• Each suite has a pull-out chair or sofa so that members of the

family can stay overnight in the room.

• Numerous plugs, all at waist height, accommodate electronic

devices.

• Rooms are internet equipped. I Pads and Skype are available

so that Hospice residents can keep in touch with family and

friends.

• Smart TV and Netflix are available in each room.

• A Comfort Bear and quilt, specially made for residents by our

Erie Shores Hospice volunteers, are placed on each bed.

Patient Rooms

A typical resident suite,

one of ten identical

resident rooms in Erie

Shores Hospice.

Each suite has been

donated by generous

individuals/families,

community organiza-

tions and corporations.

Washrooms are resident accessible. A pull down bench is available for

taking showers. The open concept washroom allows residents to

bathe with ease and safety. The sinks are wheelchair accessible. For

safety and comfort, washrooms are equipped with grab bars and

heated floors.

Patient Rooms