- February 7, 2025
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Hurricane Irma may have caused some delay, but the The 16th annual Halifax Health – Hospice 5K Run and Walk will still take place in order to raise money for the Family Caregiver Program.
The program is geared toward providing one-on-one care for hospice patients and giving caregivers a time of respite.
Funding makes it possible to have staff and provide services for family in order for caregivers to take care of everyday needs, whether that is grocery shopping or just getting a hair cut, according to Mary Jo Allen, Halifax Health Hospice.
“That particular service is not covered under the Medicare benefit,” Allen said. “So we’re not reimbursed for providing respite.”
Since the very first 5K, organizers have been able to raise $1 million to put into the Family Caregiver Program.
Allen said through the hospice program they are able to help people dealing with pain while also managing psychosocial services and providing support for family members after a person has died.
People are also able to receive support through a traumatic loss program and a child bereavement center.
Workers who are looking after patients may be responsible for a variety of tasks depending on what the individual needs. Allen said that could mean one day bathing a patient or just holding someone’s hand the next.
“I feel that we all deserve to have someone there with us at the end,” Allen said. “We just want to make sure too that they’re doing so in a comfortable, peaceful manner, so we really focus on making it a good life till the end.”
Allen noted that by allowing the hospice to step in for a period of time it helps caregivers know they can take time for themselves without feeling overwhelmed with the needs of their loved one.
“I think that until you’ve experienced someone dying you don't realize the stress,” Allen said. “It’s physical stress, it’s emotional stress, and we don't ever want to let our loved ones down and tell them we failed or we can't provide those services.”
