Palliative patients in Oxford County are getting end-of-life wishes granted thanks to the county’s paramedics.
The Oxford County Paramedic Services has begun a new wish-granting program called “A Wish to Remember” which grants personal and unique experiences for patients nearing the end of life.
Paramedics volunteer their time to palliative patients who are immobile or need constant care to go do or see something they normally wouldn’t be able to do. The wishes are granted with the full support of the patient’s family and medical team.
The program started last fall after a paramedic saw a need for the service when her family was struggling to find a way to get her uncle, who was nearing the end of his life, back to see his farm one last time.
Since then, the paramedics have granted wishes to about a half dozen patients.
Johanna Hampson-Ducharme an Oxford County paramedic says each wish is as unique as the patient, “While it may seem like something simple, it can mean the world to that person. Everyone is so happy at these events even though it’s sad, it’s so heartwarming to see family and friends there with the common goal of making this moment wonderful for that one person.”
Referrals to the program are made through the Oxford County Palliative Care Outreach Team (PCOT) or a community paramedic. Once a wish has been requested, a paramedic will conduct an assessment to ensure the patient meets the criteria for the program.