Hospice
Muskoka celebrated the opening of its fourth
palliative care room at South Muskoka Memorial
Hospital On October 26, 2010. Palliative
care rooms provide comfort during the last
stages of one's life. They have one bed
for the patient and plenty of space for family
members to visit.
The room is
dedicated to the memory of Ron Freeburn, who
passed away at the hospital two years ago.
The funds for the new room came in part from the
Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Muskoka Chapter
356, of which Ron Freeburn was a member.
Club members raised $3000.00 with a Ride for Ron
event. Dan Freeburn, Ron's son, also
raised $3000.00.
Ron's family
members, riding club members and hospice
volunteers gathered to tour the room and
celebrate its opening. The room, number
240, features comfortable chairs, a flat screen
television, a collection of DVDs, magazines and
personal touches such as handmade quilts.
As a first for the palliative rooms at the
Bracebridge hospital a Murphy bed was added.
The bed will allow a a family member to sleep in
the room with their loved on. It can be
tucked away for more space during the day.
