What is a Compassionate Community?
Compassionate Cities are communities that celebrate care for one another during life’s most testing times and experiences. Professor Allan Kellehear started the Compassionate Communities movement in Australia over 20 years ago. He says that dying is not fundamentally a medical event, rather it is an event that happens in a family and community.
Our focus is primarily on the aging population and helping that group “live as well as they can for as long as they can”. A person with a serious illness spends about five percent of the day with health professionals and 95 percent with family, caregivers and friends in their community.
Our challenge is to mobilize citizens to help provide knowledge and information on service available to anyone in need. Caring for others is everyone’s responsibility, not just that of the health care professionals.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Advance Care Planning Workshops
Advance Care Planning is a gift you can give to your loved ones. It helps you plan for possible future health care: It’s about conversations. It’s about wishes. Who will speak for you if you can’t speak for yourself?
If you would like to register for one of our free seminars here are some opportunities:
Seniors Centre (call 613 548-7810 and the receptionist will enroll you). 56 Francis Street.
From 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. on the following dates:
Monday, November 20
Monday, January 15
Kingston Frontenac Public Library branches (register on their website):
Tuesday, Nov.28, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Central Branch (Gather Space): 130 Johnson Street
Spiritual Care Community of Practice
Sessions will be running from June 2023 to December 2023.
Come be a part of the Spiritual Care Community of Practice!
This community of practice is centred around the understanding and application of spiritual health and its diverse meanings within the context of palliative and bereavement care.
NEWS
Queen’s Department of Family Medicine HORIZONS magazine
The September issue of HORIZONS magazine is a very interesting read. It is focused solely on seniors’ health and wellbeing. Included is a profile of Compassionate Communities Kingston Canada and our various programs.
https://familymedicine.queensu.ca/global-health/horizons-magazine