The Heart of Hastings Hospice Earns 98% Score in Provincial Accreditation

The Heart of Hastings Hospice is proud to announce it has achieved a 98% score in its recent accreditation review from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO), securing full accreditation for another three years.

Accreditation is a rigorous process that evaluates hospice programs against provincial standards for quality, safety, and compassionate care. The review included the hospice’s Volunteer and Community Hospice Services, Hospice Residence, and Grief and Bereavement Program.

Over the past year, hospice staff prepared more than 300 pieces of evidence demonstrating how their programs meet HPCO standards. During the on-site visit, reviewers conducted file audits and interviews with family members, staff, program coordinators, and volunteers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s care practices. The outstanding results reflect the hospice’s ongoing commitment to high-quality hospice palliative care and continuous improvement.

Reviewers praised both the environment and the care provided by the hospice team.

“The Heart of Hastings Hospice is the most homelike hospice I have had the pleasure of visiting,” noted one reviewer, recommending the facility as a model for other small communities considering hospice development.

The review team also highlighted the hospice’s Grief and Bereavement Program, recognizing the quality of its caregiver and grief support resources and suggesting they be shared across the provincial hospice network.

“This accreditation result is a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters,” said Heidi Griffith, Executive Director. “Every day, our team works to ensure individuals and families in our community receive compassionate, dignified care when they need it most.”

Serving approximately 28,000 residents across a 5,700 km² rural region, The Heart of Hastings Hospice provides hospice residence care, visiting community hospice services, caregiver education and respite, grief and bereavement support, and an equipment lending program at no cost to those who need them.

Step into Nature and Hope: Join Us for Hike for Hospice on September 27, 2025

As the leaves turn golden and the air fills with the crisp beauty of autumn, The Heart of Hastings Hospice invites you to come together for a day of remembrance, community, and compassion at our annual Hike for Hospice.

Where: O’Hara’s Mill Conservation Area, Madoc

When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 | Hike begins at 10:00 a.m.

This cherished tradition brings friends, families, and neighbours together to celebrate life and honour loved ones while walking the peaceful trails of O’Hara’s Mill. Whether you come as part of a team or take a quiet solo stroll, every step you take supports hospice care right here at home.

Some of Our 2024 Hike for Hospice Teams

And it’s not just about the hike—there’s something for everyone! Families can enjoy face painting and activities for kids, while nature lovers soak up the beauty of the trails. Plus, the event is pet-friendly, so your four-legged friends can walk beside you too.

After the hike, join us for a complimentary BBQ lunch at noon, generously provided by the Stirling Lions Club—a perfect way to refuel, reconnect, and share stories before the event wraps up around 1:00 p.m.

Why Hike?

Every dollar raised stays in our community, helping patients and families receive the compassionate end-of-life care they deserve. It’s a day filled with gratitude, reflection, and hope—reminding us that we’re never walking this journey alone.

Special Thank-You Hikers who raise $50 or more will receive a complimentary Hike for Hospice T-shirt as a keepsake of the day.

Get Involved

• Register to hike: www.heartofhastingshospice.ca/hikeforhohh

• Become a sponsor: Show your community spirit and help make this meaningful event possible. Sponsorship opportunities are open now!

“Hike for Hospice is a day of remembrance, gratitude, and hope,” says Pauline Pietschmann, Fundraising & Awareness Coordinator. “Every step taken makes a difference for local families.”

We can’t wait to walk beside you on September 27th. Bring your family, bring your pets, enjoy the trails, face painting, and laughter—and let’s celebrate life, honour loved ones, and step into hope—together.

Community Comes Together for a Cause at the 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

MADOC, ON – June 21, 2025 – Sunshine, sport, and community spirit were in full swing this past Saturday at the 17th Annual Heart of Hastings Hospice Charity Golf Tournament, held at the beautiful West Highland Golf Club.

With 11 teams and 46 enthusiastic participants, the event brought together supporters from across the region for a fun-filled day in support of compassionate end-of-life care.

“We were thrilled to have perfect weather and such great energy on the course,” said Pauline Pietschmann, Fundraising and Awareness Coordinator for The Heart of Hastings Hospice. “Every team, every sponsor, and every dollar raised helps us continue to offer our services free of charge to those who need us most.”

The tournament was made possible thanks to the generous backing of local and corporate sponsors. A special thank you goes out to:

• Platinum Sponsor: Procter & Gamble

• Gold Sponsor: Bay Subaru

• With continued support from DC Farms and McKillop & Associates

  
  

The day’s festivities included a fan-favourite: professional golf entertainer Todd Keirstead, who returned to dazzle players with his impressive trick shots and help raise additional funds at Hole One.

While final numbers are still being confirmed, early estimates suggest the tournament raised close to $30,000—a fantastic achievement for a single-day event. A major portion of this success came from the “Fund A Need” campaign, which brought in nearly $21,000 to replace the hospice’s aging furnace. Thanks to the overwhelming response, not only will the furnace be replaced, but the home's generator will also be upgraded to support the expanded facility.

The Heart of Hastings Hospice provides compassionate, community-based, in-home palliative care, along with 24-hour residential care at their recently expanded three-bed hospice. All services—including grief and bereavement support—are offered completely free of charge, focusing on the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being of individuals and their families across Central Hastings.

“We are so grateful to every golfer, sponsor, and volunteer who helped make this event such a success,” added Pauline. “Together, we are making a difference in the lives of people during some of their most vulnerable moments.”

To learn more about the hospice’s vital programs and services, or to get involved, visit heartofhastingshospice.ca.