End-of-life care gets $1M boost from Saint Elizabeth

Canada's largest social enterprise supports research, education and residential hospices

MARKHAM, ON, June 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Saint Elizabeth Community Enterprise, a national leader in social innovation and impact, is investing $1 million this year towards improving end-of-life care for people and families.

"This investment will help to amplify our impact in an area of great national need and importance," says Shirlee Sharkey, CEO of Saint Elizabeth.  "We look forward to working with others to strengthen services and support people and families in their end-of-life journey."

With a vision to honour the human face of health care, Saint Elizabeth's end-of-life strategy and investment is focused on:

• Supporting a variety of residential hospices through local partnerships
• Delivering high quality palliative care education to health care providers and volunteers
• Expanding access to spiritual care, bereavement and family supports
• Conducting research to understand and enhance end-of-life experiences

With a well-established research centre and palliative care program, the not-for-profit charitable organization has a strong knowledge foundation in end-of-life care that spans over 30 years.

"The field of hospice palliative care in Canada is full of amazing people, inspiring stories and incredible potential –we need to support this," adds Nancy Lefebre, chief clinical executive and senior vice president.

Together with its Foundation, Saint Elizabeth has previously received two philanthropy awards from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario for its vision, financial support and dedication to fostering the true spirit of palliative care.

Related:

• Highlights from Saint Elizabeth's Environics End-Of-Life Care Survey – English │ French │ Infographic

About Saint Elizabeth
Saint Elizabeth is a national health care provider that has been opening the door to new possibilities and care experiences for more than a century. Recognized as Canada's largest social enterprise, we employ 8,000 people and visit 18,000 clients every day.  Through the Saint Elizabeth Research Centre, our Health Career Colleges and the Saint Elizabeth Foundation, we are helping to make the future of health care brighter and stronger. Learn more at www.saintelizabeth.com or find us on Twitter at @StElizabethSEHC.

SOURCE Saint Elizabeth Health Care

Video with caption: "A family member reflects on end-of-life care at home". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfFuVZJqMZ0

Media contact: Madonna Gallo, Head of Public Voice, [email protected], 905-968-6430

Related Links

http://www.saintelizabeth.com/