FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kensington Health opens expanded hospice, making accessible and equitable hospice palliative care available to those in the community who need it most
Toronto, ON - May 23, 2023 – Kensington Health is pleased to announce the opening of its expanded hospice, significantly increasing the ability to respond to the needs of individuals living with life-limiting illness in a home-like setting.
“It is an honour to offer a space where residents can receive the quality care they need,” said Adil Khalfan, President and CEO at Kensington Health. “Our aim is to provide comfort and hope, relieve suffering, and improve the quality of living and dying.”
Kensington Hospice improves end-of-life care in the community while reducing health care costs. With a more personalized, holistic care model, Kensington Hospice has always been a meaningful alternative in providing end-of-life care.
The expansion makes it the largest single-site hospice residence in downtown Toronto and one of the largest the country.
“As the healthcare system faces increasing strain, we are proud to be part of the solution with the expansion of our Hospice by caring for people out of the hospital setting and in the community,” added Khalfan.
Kensington Hospice provides diverse programming leading up to end-of-life, and its expansion marks a pivotal moment for caregivers and patients. Globally recognized for excellence in end-of-life care, Kensington has helped more than 1,200 people and their loved ones face death with dignity. For those well enough to cope with their life limiting illness at home, the Kensington Day Hospice offers peer and group support.
The opening of the expanded Hospice was made possible through the generosity of the Kensington Health community of supporters.
"We are thrilled to see the expansion project come to fruition,” said Corinne Rusch-Drutz, CEO of Kensington Health Foundation. “The space is truly a testament to the power of shared vision and the compassion of those who have come together to support it. We started the project just as COVID-19 hit and it’s the incredible generosity and dedication of our community that has made it possible.” “Our heartfelt thanks to our families, volunteers, and donors, who’ve helped us bring this essential service to those in need."
The Kensington Hospice expansion adds nine new resident care beds, bringing the total to 19. In addition to accommodating more people and caregivers, the expansion will support the community with more palliative care programming, along with its clinical, spiritual, social and emotional supports.
“Our Hospice expansion gives us the opportunity to transform how hospice palliative care is delivered in our community. We aim to support more meaningful moments for those who are most vulnerable, from unhoused people, BIPOC, low income to uninsured and refugee populations. We are committed to ensuring that care is trauma-informed and equitable,” said Dr. Nadine Persaud, Executive Director at the Kensington Hospice.
About Kensington Hospice
Kensington Hospice was built in 2011 to give those with a life-limiting illness and their caregivers’ choice at end-of-life. Hospice palliative care is aimed at relieving suffering and improving the quality of life for those who are living with, or dying from, advanced illness. It’s also better for the health care system. The cost of caring for someone who is terminally ill in an acute-care hospital bed is $1100 per day, but the cost of care at Kensington Hospice is only $460 per day. By expanding palliative care and creating access for enhanced support services, Kensington Hospice has created an impactful model of care that helps people in the community and offers them dignity and choice.
The suite of services provided at the Kensington Hospice include:
- Garden-facing windows
- Outdoor garden space
- Expanded kitchen area with eat-in dining facilities for group meals
- Beautiful indoor and outdoor lounge area for reflection
- Expanded spaces for clinical care
- Therapeutic Spa Room
- Private spaces for caregivers
- Expanded psychosocial services
- Art and music therapy
For more information, visit www.kensingtonhealth.org.
Please see below for camera call information.
CAMERA CALL
WHEN: May 23, 2023
11:00 a.m.
- Ribbon cutting commences at 11:15 am
- Speeches commence at 11:20 a.m.
- Interview opportunities: 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: 45 Brunswick Ave. on the premise of the new hospice space.
WHY: Unveil and open Kensington Hospice new facility and expanded care.
WHO: Kensington Hospice
Interview opportunities:
- Kensington Health President and CEO, Adil Khalfan
- Kensington Health Foundation CEO, Corinne Rusch-Drutz
- Kensington Hospice Executive Director, Dr. Nadine Persaud
- Kensington Hospice Medical Director, Dr. Naheed Dosani
- Kensington Hospice family
Images available here:
For interviews, photography etc., please contact:
Sagal Ali, Director of Communications, Equity and Experience, Kensington Health
- Sali@kensingtonhealth.org
- 416-879-4969
Lori Harito, Publicist
- lori@boulevardofdreams.ca
- 416-523-9602