Foyer Lacombe Hospice celebrated the completion of a patio last week that will give residents and their families a place to be outside together.
It’s not a tremendously large space—big enough to fit between 40 and 50 people seated shoulder to shoulder—but for hospice residents and loved ones sharing their final memories, it means a huge improvement in quality of life, said chaplain Matthieu Coulombe.
“Health care spaces are not built for families; they're built for caring,” Coulombe said. “We really wanted to create a space where families could gather.”
With end-of-life care, residents often need outdoor space that is close to a team of nurses, Coulombe said.
Prior to the patio opening, residents and their families had to meet in Foyer Lacombe’s parking lot if they wanted to be outside but near the building.
It wasn’t safe or conducive to a good visit, said former Foyer Lacombe chaplain Craig Traynor, who had the idea for the space.
“When COVID hit, people couldn’t come inside to visit their families,” Traynor said. “People were gathering in the parking lot.”
Outdoor space helps hospice residents feel at home, Traynor said.
“I remember bringing one of our residents out one time, and she just wanted to hold grass because she’d been inside for so long,” he said. “Just being able to touch the grass, feel the sun on her face, feel the fresh air, just makes all the difference in the world.”
A unique feature of the space is its “labyrinth.” Built into the brick patio is a round maze pattern, a feature on which visitors and residents can take a stroll. Going for a "labrynith walk" along the brick path is meant to help with contemplation and spiritual connection, and it is a practice that spans cultures and spiritual traditions.
Three years ago the space was a bunch of shrubs near the building’s entrance.
The patio was set to be finished in the spring or summer of 2021 but faced COVID delays. Bricks were laid 2022, but the patio had no shade and was often too hot for residents to enjoy.
This year Foyer Lacombe added a gazebo to the patio, a final touch that has made the space a cool and welcoming spot for residents.
“Now that there's coverage, it's used all the time,” Coulombe said.
Mike Mertz, a carpenter with ATCO, designed and built the gazebo with the help of some co-workers.
His mother moved into Foyer Lacombe last December and passed away in May 2024. She was still alive when he finished work on the gazebo.
“She wasn’t able to get out of bed, but I took lots of pictures,” Mertz said. “She did smile.”
After learning that Mertz was a carpenter, Foyer Lacombe asked him for help with the gazebo.
Mertz agreed, and, with some funding from ATCO, the gazebo was finished one week later.
“It's a small thing, but then it's a good memory for me too,” Mertz said. “I can come here, and if nobody’s around I can sit down and think about her.”
