Tracy MacFadden is the new executive director at the Desert Valley Hospice Society. The organization, through its dedicated team of volunteers, provides quality programs and services to those facing end-of-life decisions and their loved ones. MacFadden works out of the society’s new office headquarters in Osoyoos. (Keith Lacey photo)
Talking about and planning for death used to be a taboo subject for the average Canadian family, but thankfully those attitudes have changed and this societal attitude adjustment will make her job much easier moving forward, says the new boss at the Desert Valley Hospice Society (DVHS).
Tracy MacFadden was named as the new executive director of DVHS in early July after working for two years for the organization as an administrative assistant.
Born and raised in Oliver, MacFadden, a mother of five, said she is looking forward to the challenge of her new position and working for an organization dedicated to supporting excellence in the delivery of hospice palliative care and end of life services for residents in Osoyoos and Oliver.
“The goal of end of life care is to ensure the best possible quality of life care for dying people and their families,” said MacFadden, who works out of DVHS’s new Supportive Care Centre, which opened in the fall of 2014 in Osoyoos.
After working for an organization that has helped so many people for several years, MacFadden said she put her name forward for executive director’s position several months ago and was honoured and humbled to be selected as the new boss by the board of directors.
“The board decided that an executive director’s position was necessary and here we are,” she said. “I believe strongly in the work being done by this organization and I’m dedicated to the goals and mission to provide the very best in end of life care to residents, so it’s an honour to be named to this position.”
For many years, MacFadden volunteered her time working with young pregnant women preparing them for birth and found this to be exceptionally gratifying and rewarding.
“I really saw value in supporting young parents through the birthing process,” she said. “But after several years, I often thought about the opposite side of things and became very interested in helping older people and eventually started volunteering in trying to help people prepare for death.
“I was in between jobs and working part-time for a friend of mine and knew I wanted to do something meaningful … when the administrative assistant’s job came up with DVHS. It was exactly what I was looking for.”
MacFadden said a big part of her new job involves promoting the programs and services offered by DVHS.
“Our mandate is to make the journey a little easier for anyone with a life-limiting diagnosis,” she said. “Our programs and services are not simply intended for those very near the end of life, but for anyone with a life-limiting condition. We work with the individuals as well as their family members and loved ones to provide the best quality of care possible.”
Programs offered by DVHS include:
- One to one Client Support, where hospice volunteers offer practical and emotional support and companionship for the end of life journey, whether it is at home, in the hospital or in a residential care facility. Volunteers may read to the client, listen to their concerns, share mutual interests, run small errands or simply provide a silent presence. Volunteers provide both practical and emotional support for palliative care clients and their family and friends.
- Tuck In Program. Volunteers phone clients/caregivers every Thursday afternoon to assure they have the necessary supplies, medications, equipment and support for each coming weekend. Any needs are then communicated by the volunteer to the palliative care nurse.
- One to One Family Support. Volunteers offer emotional and practical support and information to family members.
- Respite Services. Volunteers provide family and primary caregivers with a brief respite or break, usually between two to four hours, from their caregiving responsibilities. This gives caregivers an opportunity to engage in activities they might otherwise have to miss out on.
- End of Life Vigils. Volunteers may be requested on short notice to provide one on one support for a client during his or her final hours or support to family members during this very difficult time.
- Bereavement Support. Volunteers may be called to provide grief and bereavement support to the family members of clients. There is drop in bereavement support at the South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver every Tuesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Quiet Room.
- Telephone Bereavement Support. Volunteers are made available to support bereaved individuals by offering compassionate, non-judgemental listening on the phone.
Recruiting and training volunteers is another key component of her new job, said MacFadden.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization and we wouldn’t be able to function without them,” she said. “We have an incredible dedicated team of volunteers who give so much to our clients and family members.”
Volunteers are required to undertake an intensive, 30-hour training course, followed by a six-hour practicum. Once trained, volunteers provide social, practical and emotion support to those living with a life-limiting illness.
“These volunteers don’t replace nursing care, homecare or family support, but rather they complement the health care and family team to enhance the quality of life for the patient and their family and caregivers,” she said.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Julie Koenig, volunteer co-ordinator at 250-498-5026.
Janet Shaw, the founder of DVHS and longtime board president, has become a mentor, good friend and devoted supporter since taking over as executive director, said MacFadden.
“Her passion is incredible,” she said. “She’s the most remarkable mentor I’ve ever met in my life.”
Having a new place to call home at the Supportive Care Centre in Osoyoos has allowed DVHS to take giant steps forward as they have a permanent structure to call home and nice place to offer training, programs and services, she said.
The society is hoping to offer advance care planning workshops, grief support counselling services and community forums this fall, she said.
Anyone wanting information, can contact MacFadden at 250-495-1590 or visit www.desertvalleyhospice.org.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
