Jessica's House Hospice in South Huron is a finalist for $100,000 in funding from the Aviva Community Fund Competition.
The project is one of 30 finalists to receive enough on line votes to make it into the next round.
Winners will now be chosen by an independent panel of judges, with the the grand prize projects announced December 6.
Jessica’s House would be available to anyone in Huron and Perth counties with a terminal or life threatening illness diagnosis.
The hospital foundation wants to provide a sanctuary for those facing end of life, and support for family and friends.
The project got a boost at the 2016 South Huron Hospital Gala raised $262,000 for the hospice, which will cover the required annual operation cost of a three-bed hospice.
The government provides no capital funding for residential hospices, so the money would help purchase the land, build and furnish the hospice.
Access to hospice beds is an issue in Huron County, despite the fact most people would prefer to die at home, rather than in hospital.
The cost of caring for a terminally ill patient in hospital is double the cost of care in a hospice bed, and ten times the cost of at home care.
Jessica’s House will act as the heart of palliative support services including both current programs and an expanded set of services such as day wellness programs for individuals diagnosed with life threatening illnesses, a bereavement support program, horticultural therapy sessions, a men’s prostate cancer support group, a suicide support group, and a children’s bereavement support program.
Patients and their families will come to the hospice for the compassionate, medical, and emotional care that they need at the end-of-life.
