For years, Hospice Muskoka has provided compassionate community-based palliative care through Andy’s House and has offered a unique program called Andy’s House at Home (AH@H) designed to support individuals in the last year of life where they are most comfortable. Since August of 2025, the program has admitted 50 people including Garry Beaudin who currently receives care in his home. “It makes the bumpy road less bumpy,” explained Beaudin. Beaudin added the level of care he receives in his home makes him more comfortable as he sees the same nurses and social workers. “I have never been sick in my life so it’s pretty darn important for me to feel comfortable,” he said. As Garry receives the care and support of a health care team at home, the program is looking to expand hoping to serve hundreds of residents in the Muskoka region, but needs assistance from the provincial government. Donna Kearney, the CEO of Hospice Muskoka, said currently, AH@H is 100 per cent community-funded. “Hospice Muskoka has been working in this model for five and a half years and we have raised that money up until now. It’s becoming more difficult,” said Kearney. Kearney added the cost of staying in a hospital can be expensive and hospice care provides relief in emergency rooms across the region. Hospice care can add relief to busy hospitals but needs attention as the demand is expected to increase. “Muskoka has a population that’s 12 years older than the provincial average; we are the canary in the coal mine,” said Kearney. “And if we don’t get palliative care right in Muskoka, the rest of the province will struggle.” Doug Crichton has relied on Hospice Muskoka and AH@H program before and said it was important for his loved ones to be in a comfortable surrounding. “A lot of people want to have their final days at home surrounded by their friends, their family, their pets, their own home,” said Crichton. Other families like Laurie Campbell emphasized the importance of having around-the-clock care right in the comfort of their own home. “To be able to have family around, the care that is provided by this program is of utmost importance and should be something that’s available to anyone that requires the service,” said Campbell. Currently Hospice Muskoka employs three nurse practitioners with provincial support and they’re hoping to expand their help. Heather Jamieson is one of those nurse practitioners and said the AH@H program allows her to have a better understanding of the needs of the client and provide the proper care. “Real privilege of spending time with people in their homes and as a nurse practitioner, that means the most. Being able to deliver the care and really build relationships with people and get a sense of what they want,” said Jamieson. In 2024, Andy’s Home asked the provincial government for $370,000 and they have not received that support, so they continue to rely on donations to keep the program running. CTV News reached out to the Ministry of Health asking them about the importance of providing funding to end of life care and did not hear back before deadline.
