PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQUÉ John Milloy, M.P.P. Leeanna Pendergast, M.P.P. Kitchener Centre Kitchener-Conestoga Boosting Hospice Support To Benefit Waterloo Region Families McGuinty Government Helps To Improve End-of-Life Care Services At Lisaard House NEWS September 1, 2011 Ontario is helping Waterloo Region families support loved ones in the last stages of life by increasing funding to the Lisaard House. The province will provide Lisaard House with $80,000 in additional funding to strengthen its nursing and personal support services for patients. The investment will help hospices continue to offer quality care and service within the Waterloo Region community to meet the often complex needs of patients and their families living with the challenges of a life-threatening illness. Residential hospices play a critical role in palliative care. The McGuinty government is committed to investing in hospices so that Ontarians who cannot be cared for at home can live their final days in dignity and comfort. QUOTES “This funding will ensure that Lisaard House is able to operate at full capacity and provide the best care possible to its patients. Our government recognizes that residential hospices play an important role within an integrated palliative care system in Ontario.” - John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre “Hospice residents deserve to live their final days in dignity and comfort. In 2003 no provincial program supported end-of life care other than the care provided in hospitals. Today Ontario is a leader in end-of-life care and this increase in funding will help ensure residential hospices have the resources they need to provide the best, most compassionate care possible.” - Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care “The end-of-life care provided at Lisaard House enables individuals and their loved ones to receive support in a specialized and welcoming environment. The funding will support the ongoing delivery of care required by the residents.” Bruce Lauckner, CEO, Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network 6C-1770 King Street E.., Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 2P1 (519) 579-5460 (519) 579-2121 [email protected] PRESS RELEASE / COMMUNIQUÉ John Milloy, M.P.P. Leeanna Pendergast, M.P.P. Kitchener Centre Kitchener-Conestoga QUICK FACTS . A residential hospice is a home-like environment — normally containing 10 beds or fewer — where people receive essential end-of-life care, free of charge. Hospices offer a range of supportive services to people who cannot be cared for at home. Lisaard House is one of 24 non-profit residential hospices in the province that will be receiving an increase to their annual base funding. Ontario’s End-of-Life Care Strategy is improving palliative care for an additional 6,000 Ontarians. LEARN MORE Find out more at the Hospice Association of Ontario. -30- CONTACT: Jessica Voin Office of John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre 519-579-5460 [email protected] 6C-1770 King Street E.., Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 2P1 (519) 579-5460 (519) 579-2121 [email protected] .