There is a dedicated group giving their time and talents to a very special group of Sunshine Coast citizens.
The members of the Sunshine Coast Hospital Auxiliary volunteer at Totem Lodge, Shorncliffe, and the 2 South Short Stay Unit where there are 49, 59 and 13 residents respectively.
I discovered the benefits of the auxiliary through using their loan cupboard. This service provides medical equipment, free of charge, to all Coast residents. I was so impressed by this necessary and incredibly organized arm of the auxiliary, I joined this past November.
And, as we know, life’s journey is filled with unexpected changes. My husband is now a resident of the 2 South Short Stay Unit (part of the Sechelt Hospital), awaiting transfer to a long-term care facility.
I find myself looking out from inside our healthcare system. I witness the amazing influence my fellow auxiliary members have on the lives of the residents of these care facilities.
The 2 South Short Stay Unit’s history starts in 2016, as the auxiliary was participating in the conversations around the development of the Trellis Care facility. At this time, long-term care patients awaiting placement into Shorncliffe, Totem, Christensen Village or elsewhere off the Coast, were placed in the Hospital’s Acute Care Unit. Not an ideal situation for the hospital or the patients!
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) finished remodelling the 1950s vintage wing in the hospital into a new long-term care wing with 12 beds, a common room and room for the hospital auxiliary in 2018.
It was Easter 2019 when the auxiliary received a call from the VCH saying they were about to move patients into the new wing. The auxiliary was busy outfitting the rooms with beds, tray tables, night tables etc.
On extremely short notice, volunteers rose to the challenge, setting up each of the rooms, all to ease residents’ transition and show the respect and care they deserve. Now, these folks were no longer alone on a busy acute care wing. The 2 South space mirrors what they can expect in a long-term permanent residence – their new home.
Of course, COVID threw a wrench into the volunteer activities but as vaccines became available, and screening processes were established, the volunteer activities slowly returned and are now back fully.
The auxiliary continues to enhance the lives of residents. Working with the incredible residence activity co-ordinators, funds are dedicated to the residences for purchase of birthday parties, TVs, games, puzzles, art supplies etc.
One purchase in particular, the fireplace in the common room on 2 South, fosters a family room atmosphere. And the residents love it!
When you support the Hospital Gift Shop and the Thrift Store, the auxiliary can better support the residents’ activities. Thank you!
I can not emphasize enough the importance of the volunteer activities and the volunteers themselves, working with the hospital staff and activity coordinators to improve the quality of life of the residents. Their dedication to, and respect for, the real people (your husbands, wives, moms, dads, friends) living in long-term care is profoundly appreciated by the residents and family members. Thank you to you all!
Do you want to know more?
Check out the Auxiliary website at sunshinecoasthealthauxiliary.com or email [email protected].
