After a long four-year journey and countless volunteer hours, fundraising, planning, and building, Mariposa House Hospice has officially opened its doors at 1140 Brodie Dr. in Severn Township.
On Tuesday night, Mariposa House Hospice celebrated the accomplishment with a virtual grand opening on their YouTube channel, which you can watch here.
“We are happy to share this with the community and virtually mark the moment,” said executive director Annelise Stenekes.
“A lot of perseverance and volunteer hours went into this to make it possible. It’s a testament to the spirit of this community.”
The new $3.5 million residential hospice facility gives people nearing the end of life an opportunity to spend their final days in a more peaceful setting, Stenekes explained.
“Oftentimes when you are going through the process of living through an illness and nearing the end of life, you require a lot of care and support, which some people have, but some people don’t or they have needs that start to exceed what people are able to do,” she said.
“Having a residential hospice offers this additional setting that people can come to and it's as home-like as can be while still being a health-care facility,” Stenekes told OrilliaMatters.
The new hospice features outdoor amenities such as a walking trail and gazebo and indoor features such as a spa room and a blanket warmer.
“We have a bed that family members can sleep in over-night next to the patient, we have a family area with a kitchen, a fireplace, and some sofas. It’s meant to be as welcoming and as comfortable as possible for the resident and their families and their friends,” Stenekes said.
About 15 years ago, there were only five hospices in Ontario according to Stenekes. Now there are more than 50.
“There has been a huge recognition of the importance of residential hospice as one of the players in making sure everybody has good end-of-life care in an appropriate setting,” Stenekes said.
“Not every community has a residential hospice, so I think Orillia and area should be really proud of this accomplishment."
Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke participated in Tuesday night’s grand opening. He congratulated the Mariposa House Hospice team on seeing their dream come to fruition.
“What a caring, compassionate, and dedicated group of people they are, and what a wonderful facility you have created in a thoughtful and peaceful setting. This is a wonderful addition to our community,” Clark said.
Severn Township Mayor Mike Burkett was also on hand for Tuesday’s festivities.
“I just want to say for everyone who was involved in making this happen, I can’t thank you enough. I do not know the amount of volunteer hours that were put into it, the sponsors who donated their time, and the efforts,” he said.
“This is a place that when our loved ones are ready to pass onto the other life, they have a place to spend their last days in dignity not only for themselves but the families that are involved," he said.
