NORTH BAY -- Eight years of hard work is finally paying off for the staff of the newly built Nipissing Serenity Hospice. The first patient, who will receive their end of life care at the facility, was admitted on Sunday.

"The team is preparing to get the rooms ready and making sure it is friendly and welcoming," says executive director Elizabeth Evans.

The hospice offers end of life palliative care to people of all ages who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and a life expectancy of fewer than three months. Services are provided at no cost and funded in part by the province and private donors.

"We’re here to celebrate life and the life that your loved one has and all parts of the family. We’re really family-focused," said Serenity Hospice care coordinator Lindsay Campbell.

The care is accessible 24/7. Residents who don’t have a doctor will be assigned one. The care team plans to ensure each patient will have a personalized care plan, which will be designed to meet their needs and requests, physically, mentally and spiritually.  

"They’ll be assisted by our care team, where I’ll meet with the families and give them a moment to breathe. This is the part where they go from being a caregiver to being the family again," says Campbell.

The facility's capacity is 10 beds; however, the team plans to stagger admittance to ensure each person is looked after appropriately.

"Without our community and our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do the magic that we want to do. Thank you to everyone who’s donated and thank you to everyone who’s donated your time," says Evans.