$150,000 OTF Grant to Matthews House Hospice in Alliston

$150,000 OTF Grant Allows Matthews House Hospice to offer a NEW Memory Care and Dementia Day Program

Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson met with the team at Matthews House Hospice (MHH) to hear how a $150,000 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2022 has made an impact. The grant was used to install a high-level security system designed specifically to ensure people living with mild to moderate dementia and cognitive impairments are safe. The system was required for the new Memory Care and Dementia Day program. The project has been completed and the new program will commence on June 5th.

“This important investment by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to install a state-of-the-art security system to ensure the safety and security of the patients in the memory care and dementia day program. I want to congratulate Matthews House CEO, Margaret Bachle, and her team of staff and dedicated volunteers for the great work they do supporting people and their families in our community” said Saunderson.

This upgrade was needed to enable the hospice to implement an outpatient Memory Care and Dementia Day program for residents of this region. This program will provide recreation and socialization for people living with memory loss and dementia. This type of program greatly benefits the caregivers of the people attending this program by providing them the opportunity to pursue activities of their chose while their loved one is in the program. The program will allow 10 people to attend each day, Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm.

In addition to the new program, the new security system also allows Matthews House Hospice to admit people who are at risk to wander to the residence for palliative care or a Caregiver relief stay. Thanks to the $150,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, people of all abilities will be able to access MHH programs and services.

“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Margaret Bachle, CEO of Matthews House Hospice. “This grant has allowed the needed renovations to be made in order to provide the Memory and Dementia Day program and allow residents at risk for wandering to stay safely in our residence. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.”