Did you know the RK the tradition of an Honour Guard on the occasion that a deceased resident leaves the home?
The multidisciplinary Palliative care team at the RK works collectively to promote and strengthen the care we provide to residents from when they move in, until they pass on. This Palliative Care team looks at implementing best practices in symptom management, comfort and support for residents and families navigating life limiting illness. While also finding ways to support staff who are working with, and developing close relationships with residents and their families.
It’s been our practice to welcome and celebrate a new resident and their family when they join our RK community. However, we often struggle emotionally, quietly grieving on our own when a resident passes away. The connections that are made, are meaningful and can be difficult at the time a resident passes. In an effort to support staff and residents to pay tribute to the deceased resident, the Honour Guard begin when the quilt is laid upon the deceased resident as they leave. The Honour Guard is a meaningful way to pay our respects and to say good bye.
The Honour Guard takes place as staff gather and line the hallways as the deceased resident leaves the home. The Honour Guard quilt that is laid over the deceased resident is to honour and respect the person, giving time and space for staff to reflect on our time spent with them. The Resident Honour Guard enables us to openly shed a tear, share a hug or to offer a silent prayer. It allows us to grieve and helps give us closure.
The RK is forever grateful to one of the wonderful nurses that work here, Dawn McKenna who hand crafted and donated the beautiful quilt. The quilt is now an essential part of the RK and how we pay our respect to those that have lived here.