The dream of a new six-bed hospice residence in Walkerton is moving closer to reality, with Saugeen Hospice announcing that $7.4 million in pledges and donations have already been secured toward its $10 million fundraising goal.
Representatives updated West Grey Council this week, outlining both the progress of the campaign and the urgent need for more end-of-life care options in the region.
"We believe that compassionate end-of-life care is not just a service, but a shared responsibility," explained Hospice Chair Carol Kraft. "Something that unites governments, community organizations and residents in a common purpose."
Grey-Bruce records nearly 1,800 deaths each year, impacting close to 9,000 family members and caregivers. Yet the region currently has only 12 hospice residence beds for a population of 174,000. A 2024 Ontario Health West analysis found that Grey-Bruce should have at least 18 beds to meet current needs.
According to the hospice presentation, 75 per cent of Canadians say they want to die at home, but only 15 per cent do, and caregiver burnout is rising as the population continues to age.
"A hospice is for our whole region, built by all and built for all," stressed Kraft. "The Hospice Residence will be a place of dignity and comfort accessible to residents from every county and from every municipality that we serve."
Saugeen Hospice was incorporated in 2021 and is working to build a new facility on donated land in Eastridge Park, Walkerton. The residence will serve South Bruce, Brockton, southern Arran-Elderslie, Hanover, West Grey, Minto, and surrounding areas.
Planned as a warm, home-like environment, the hospice will provide 24-7 nursing and personal care, medical support, pain management, emotional and spiritual guidance, bereavement support, and volunteer services.
"It's quite different from a hospital. Both are very valuable to the community, but a hospice is more of a home-like environment," said Hospice business manager Charles Boulianne. "An opportunity for the family to be with the person, of course, who's dying. The entire family has the opportunity just to spend time with them, an opportunity to perhaps have a Thanksgiving dinner with them before they pass. Just very much a home-like environment."
Kraft hopes to see shovels in the ground next year, as the organization anticipates welcoming its first residents in winter 2028.