In 2015, the Diane Morrison Hospice opened an entirely new floor at the Ottawa Mission bringing the number of residential hospice beds for the homeless population up to 21. Our donors helped fund comforters, bed rails, privacy curtains and shower chairs, providing comfort and dignity to some of the most vulnerable in our community. What did this mean to the Mission Hospice?

“With your help we were able to outfit our new floor and replace equipment as needed on the other floors. OutCare has helped us in ensuring our clients live comfortably and with dignity during their remaining days. Thanks for your ongoing support.” — Marg Smeaton, Diane Morrison Hospice (Ottawa Mission)

Making a Real Difference

It has been five years since the OutCare Foundation launched its new priorities to support palliative patients, their families, caregivers and professionals. Thanks to your generosity, we have made great strides in enhancing community-based palliative care across Eastern Ontario.

Because of you…palliative care teams are now connected for distance clinical care and education through telemedicine (a $395,000 investment).

much-needed equipment for comfort and mobility was provided to nine hospices and community-based palliative care organizations (a $135,000 investment).

126 palliative care volunteers and students received bursaries (a $31,000 investment).

over $1.5 million was invested in the palliative care community to help families receive the skilled and compassionate help they need and deserve, regardless of which organization they turn to.

More beds, more comfort and more dignity for the homeless.

“I have seen a lot of change during my time with OutCare, but none is as impressive as the impact of your generosity. As I reflect on our accomplishments, I am struck by how important and timely our work is. By 2036, an estimated 25% of our population will be over the age of 65 and with 70% not able to access palliative care, we must continue to support this important cause.” John T. Bradley, Chairman, OutCare Foundation

2015 Report www.outcarefoundation.org

OutCare Foundation, 214-720 Belfast Rd., Ottawa ON K1G 0Z5 613-232-2273 admin@outcarefoundation.org

Blanket WarmerEasy Lift Chair

Palliative care providers, such as hospices and community-based organizations, undertake their invaluable work on tight budgets. They do not have extra money to buy additional equipment even though it would improve the quality of life for patients and their families. This is why equipping palliative care organizations remains one of the priorities of the OutCare Foundation. The Campaign for Comfort responds to these critical needs in our community by providing equipment funding that would otherwise not be available for hospices and palliative care organizations across Eastern Ontario.

“Thank you so much for your recent (and kind) gift in support of equipment needs for MV Hospice! We would not have been be able to offer those in our care these comfort items without your support.” — Toni Lavigne-Conway, Madawaska Valley Hospice

Wireless Nurse Alert System

Have you considered our monthly donor program? Setting up your monthly donations is a great way to meet your 2016 giving objectives while easily managing your budget! Benefits of monthly giving include:

• Monthly giving saves you time and helps you manage your donations budget. • It is a convenient way to give – one time set-up and your donation is automatically processed each month.• You are helping to reduce fundraising costs through reduced mailings. • You are providing a dependable source of income to support the needs of palliative care in our community.

Becoming a member of the monthly giving program is easy! Just visit www.outcarefoundation.org/monthly-donor to begin!

Responding to the needs of hospice residents faster and more accuratelyHere is yet another great example of how your Campaign for Comfort donations made a difference in 2015. There was a time at the Hospice Care Ottawa’s May Court Hospice site when the previous alert system was broken beyond repair and a small bell was used in the residence as a replacement. Whether it was a request by staff for help transferring a resident or a call to alert nurses about pain and discomfort, these little bells were the primary means to ensure hospice residents in need of help were heard.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this is no longer the case now that a proper resident alert call system has been installed.

“We really love our new nurse call system. We can better serve those in; our care because with the new system now we know exactly who needs our help and we are able to respond to their care needs faster.” — Lisa Shishis, Hospice Care Ottawa

The Campaign for Comfort will continue through 2016 as the needs for equipment in our community remain great. 100% of your donations to Campaign for Comfort are used to fund equipment priorities throughout the region.

“The new equipment purchased through the Campaign for Comfort is fantastic! It helps us to deliver programs that would otherwise not be made possible. Thank you.” — Dawn Rodger, Beth Donovan Hospice

2015 Campaign for Comfort Supporters

Friends of the Mer Bleue Inc.

This year, Roger’s House received new telemedicine equipment for distance care and education. Their existing equipment was old and needed to be replaced if they were to continue using the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN). Thanks to the support of Kiwanis Club of Ottawa, the children and youth of Roger’s House can

now receive the care they need right in their own community.

“This equipment is invaluable in planning for our patients’ care needs in the community.” — Megan Wright, Roger’s House

Since 2013, telemedicine has improved care and quality of life for palliative care patients and families. It has significantly reduced the travel burden for frail individuals and overloaded families. Healthcare professionals have benefited from the on-site video sessions to learn how to use specialized equipment and for follow-up medical appointments. Over the past two years, 2,000 multi-participant sessions have been held for clinical and education use. To community-based palliative care teams, it means a great deal.

Giving children and families the care they need right in their communities

Who would speak for you if you couldn’t speak for yourself?“What kind of dying experience do you want?” OutCare board member and retired senator Sharon Carstairs has dedicated much of her time and career to encouraging people to answer this question. In 2015, Sharon delivered 10 personal and highly informative presentations to over 1,500 people across our region. Thanks to our Advance Care Planning partners, such as CARP Ottawa, for providing us the opportunity to speak about this important topic.

“...The stories I shared illustrate how even my family — a family whose mother spent her career in this field — was not ready. We weren’t prepared and we certainly hadn’t planned for and had the discussions. Is my family unique? No, we are the norm. Most families in this country don’t have these discussions and most families don’t have advanced directives. Have the conversation now. Your family will thank you.” — Sharon Carstairs, OutCare Foundation

Advance Care Planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your future health and personal wishes. It can help you tell others what would be important if you were ill and unable to communicate.

Raising awareness and encouraging discussions about Advance Care Planning helps to improve quality of life at end of life, which remains a priority of OutCare in 2016. Visit www.outcarefoundation.org to view 2016 speaking engagements.

Thanks to your support, the following organizations received funding in 2015

Dundas County Hospice

“OTN has become embedded into our practice delivery model here at Hospice Renfrew and has been an important way to reduce travel costs and human resource time. It helps us deliver excellent palliative care to the families we serve.” — Maureen Sullivan-Bentz, Hospice Renfrew

Ottawa

On June 14, the Great Gatsby Party was held at the Wakefield Mill Inn & Spa, raising over $8,000! A special thanks to Kornelia Eisfeld-Lacey for organizing and hosting a very successful event.

• AJ Construction• All Signs• Almar Roofing Ltd.• AMPLIFYit• André Taillefer Ltd.• Browns Cleaners

• Centaur Riding School• Charette Wealth Management • Child Check-Mate System• Colonial Veterinary Hospital • Core-Mark • ECDF LLP

• Eastway Kennels• Gail McDonald Remax• Galarneau & Associates• Gentry Capital Corporation• LKQ Sonshine Auto Parts • M.L. Bradley Ltd.

• Maintenance Repair Service• Navan Lions Club• Navan Veterinary Services• The New Oak Tree • Orleans Carpet• Orleans Veterinary Hospital

• Ottawa Valley McDonalds• Parson Refrigeration • Paul Macnamara • Progressive Waste Solutions • Robert D. Munro Small

Engine Repair• Russ Keenan Enterprises

• Scrivens Insurance • Siberwood Builders• Simpson Electric Ltd.• Stephen Blais, Councillor • Tanner Insurance Services Ltd.• Vezina Opticians• Welch LLP Chartered Accountants

EVENTS — PROCEEDS FROM THESE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS SUPPORT PALLIATIVE CARE IN EASTERN ONTARIO.

Our charitable registration number is 88074 5286 RR0001.

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We would also like to thank our silent auction and in-kind donors who gave more than $47,000 in donations to support our events!

“As a Registered Nurse, I regularly see the need for greater palliative care support. It is not only heavily underfunded, but palliation is often a topic many are uncomfortable to talk about. I strongly believe the OutCare Foundation is vital in changing this conversation and with its ongoing dedication to funding palliative care, many families, caregivers and organizations will have the necessary supports to provide the best care possible at the end of life. I’m grateful for any opportunity to help raise awareness for this essential resource.” — Kyla Cullain, Next Step Transitions Inc.

OutCare was the beneficiary of over $7,000 raised at Ottawa’s first Seniors Expo. Thank you to the event organizers Kyla Cullain and Sean MacGinnis of Next Step Transitions Inc. and Amy McConnell of Tea & Toast.

OTTAWA SENIORS’ EXPO

Celebrating partnerships

Together, we are making a differenceOutCare donors, sponsors, volunteers, event partners and the palliative care organizations we support are all important partners in our work — and the reason we have so much to celebrate this year! We would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution of our volunteers this year. From our dedicated mailing team, to the teams who work at our events, our translator and our editor, there are so many people committed to helping with our mission. Thank you for all you do to support this important cause.

GREAT GATSBY PARTY

On August 21, the J.T. Bradley’s OutCare Golf Classic presented by Dust Evans Grandmaitre Lawyers/Avocats and Heritage Funeral Homes took place at the Hammond Golf and Country Club and raised over $50,000!

The 2nd Black Tie Bingo! Annual Fundraiser presented by BMO Financial Group was a great hit. This successful event raised over $60,000 for the OutCare Foundation and the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS