Judy Nairn - Hospice Waterloo Region

Tell us a bit about yourself and organization?

Judy Nairn is the Executive Director of Hospice of Waterloo Region, an organization that has been serving the community for over 32 years. Hospice of Waterloo Region offers both community outreach hospice services and, for the past four years, has operated a hospice residence with 11 beds. Last year alone, the organization supported over 1,200 individuals in the community, cared for 272 people in the residence, reached over 1,500 individuals through group programs, and delivered education, information, workshops and lectures to more than 4,000 members of the public. The hospice takes a proactive, community-centered approach focused on equipping families, friends, and neighbors to better support loved ones at end of life.

How do your programs and services adapt to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families in our community?

Hospice Waterloo relies heavily on its network of over 300 trained volunteers, who allow the organization to respond flexibly to diverse community needs. These volunteers reflect the varied cultural, linguistic, and geographic makeup of the region. Through this diverse volunteer base, Hospice Waterloo is able to provide services that are culturally appropriate and accessible, helping clients in their preferred language and ensuring support is available where people live. The staff focuses on coordination and integration, while the volunteers extend the organization’s reach and cultural responsiveness.

Can you share a story that highlights the impact of your services?

One impactful case involved a woman in her early 40s with advanced kidney cancer. She had a young son, around six or eight years old, and a 22-year-old daughter. Widowed and facing the end of life, she was proud and hesitant to accept help, but deeply worried about her children's future, especially her son, who would be in the care of his older sister.

Hospice of Waterloo Region mobilized a coordinated response. Volunteers supported her with shopping and daily tasks, while staff connected the family to community resources. The team provided counseling for both the daughter and the son, and helped the mother navigate financial concerns, including funeral arrangements, will preparation, and guardianship planning through legal service referrals.

Though complex, the case exemplified the organization’s holistic approach. By the time the woman passed, both children felt emotionally prepared. They had received the guidance and counseling needed to grieve and move forward.

Judy also emphasized that many of their clients are elderly individuals cared for by spouses who themselves have health issues, while their children often live far away. In these cases, caregiver stress is significant. Hospice of Waterloo Region plays a key role in supporting both the individual and their caregiver, helping to reduce stress and ensure caregivers maintain their own well-being through the process.

What are some of the biggest challenges in hospice care today?

The biggest challenge is public perception. Many people associate “hospice” solely with end-of-life beds and wait too long to seek support. As a result, families often say, “I wish I’d known about this sooner”. Another key challenge is the increasing complexity of client needs, often influenced by social determinants of health, family dynamics, and medical conditions. Supporting these cases requires significant coordination, collaboration with community partners, and personalized care plans.

How does Hospice of Waterloo Region align with KW4 OHT values and priorities?

Hospice Waterloo aligns closely with the Ontario Health Teams (OHT) by actively working to connect underserved and vulnerable populations with the broader healthcare system. Hospice Waterloo supports the OHT’s goal of building a seamless, accessible, and integrated healthcare network. For example, their building on Solstice Way in Waterloo co-locates with community palliative care physicians. This setup facilitates early connections between patients and Hospice Waterloo’s services, helping people realize that hospice care begins well before the final days. The organization contributes to making palliative care more responsive and integrated within the larger system.

What do you hope to see in the near future with your continued partnership with the OHT?

Judy hopes to see hospice and palliative care more embedded in OHT lead initiatives—especially those focused on frail seniors, their largest demographic.

Even within healthcare, there’s still misunderstanding about the scope of hospice care. At Hospice of Waterloo Region, care begins at diagnosis—not just the end. They support the whole person, addressing physical, emotional, spiritual, psychosocial, and practical needs.

By incorporating these values into OHT lead initiatives, they believe they can build a more compassionate and integrated healthcare system—one that truly supports people and families across the entire continuum of care.