Being part of the palliative care family at Hospice Cape Breton

Ruth DeErit starts her workdays by putting a pot of coffee on for the patients, families and staff at Hospice Cape Breton. It’s just one of the many little things DeErit does for the people she considers part of her family. 

“I love working in hospice,” she said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, what race you are, or your culture, everybody is treated the same. Everybody is like a family here.”

DeErit began working at the hospice as an environmental services utility worker/housekeeper in March 2022. Originally from Iloilo in the Philippines, DeErit came to Canada to 2007 as a caregiver. She then worked in Environmental Services at Northside General Hospital in North Sydney. In 2016, she started working at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney and remained there until she moved to the hospice. 

Keeping the hospice clean is only part of the work DeErit does. Through her work, she makes connections with the patients and their families.

“You have to understand that when you go into a patient’s room, you are meeting them where they are (in their palliative care journey),” she said. “Sometimes I come into the room and ask how they are doing, and we start talking. Sometimes, I’ll let them know that there’s coffee made or there are fresh cookies and if they want some, I’ll check with the nurses and see if it’s okay for them to have something. When I have time, I sit and listen, and they tell me their story.”

For DeErit, every day working at hospice is a good day, but Wednesdays are her favourite because it’s Group Day. On group day, Jill Murphy, music therapist gathers the patients and families to sing, dance, play instruments or just enjoy the music. Volunteer bakers are also on-site making goodies for everyone gathered. 

“It’s such a nice time,” said DeErit. “Everyone is happy, and you can see the joy on their faces. If I have a minute, I will join in on some songs.”

Patients and families notice DeErit’s personality and kindness as well as her hard work said Lisa McNeil-Campbell, palliative care volunteer lead. DeErit is so beloved that last June, the hospice had Filipino Day to celebrate her, her culture and to enjoy some Filipino food. 

“Everyone loves Ruth - the patients, the families the staff,” said McNeil-Campbell. “She’s the ‘Queen of Clean’ and has an energy we all love. She makes huge connections with the patients and families, and she gets involved in all the activities. She’s part of the family.” 

The feeling is mutual for DeErit. While her daughter, Debbie Rose, works in the lab at the IWK, her son, Kevin Niel, works in nutrition and food services at Cape Breton Regional Hospital and her sister lives in Sydney, her mother and other relatives still live in the Philippines. With family far away, DeErit takes comfort in the family she is part of at Hospice Cape Breton. 

 “Some patients come in and you know they won’t stay long,” she said. “Some patients go home or to a nursing home and then come back. You have to accept that. Sometimes when patients pass, I think about my family being far away and I think about the patient and their family, and I cry. I feel for them like I would feel if it was my own family. I’m not a hugger but it doesn’t matter. If you need a hug, I will hug you because now you are part of my family.”