Hilary Soares is today considered a visionary in the field of caring for those with life threatening illnesses in Bermuda. She was the founder of PALS, the charity that provides nursing assistance to cancer patients in their homes.PALS nurses are some of the most appreciated healthcare workers in Bermuda today, with patients and families of patients, full of praise for their genuine caring attitude and approach.Anita Furbert was the first PALS nurse more than 30 years ago. She worked with Mrs Soares and said her tireless efforts in providing this type of care were inspiring.“Mrs Soares worked to bring hope and dignity for persons with cancer,” she said.“Hilary advocated for patients and families during a time when there was general attitude of discouragement with this diagnosis. She was instrumental in creating changes by fostering care at home instead of long stays in hospital.‘”Regular home visits by the community nurse greatly changed attitudes and improved the well-being of families as they coped with the cancer as a family,” she said.Mrs Soares was also instrumental in the creation of Agape House, the Island’s only hospice, and served as its first director.When she died last year of Lou Gherig’s disease, Hilary’s Place project co-ordinator Marian Sherratt said she, Mrs Furbert and nurse colleague Mary Jo Farrow were prodded to make their idea of a respite centre for family caregivers, a reality.“We had been talking about opening a caregiver centre for three years,” said Mrs Sherratt. “When Hilary Soares died last year we saw this as the perfectly fitting gesture to honour her memory. She was such a caring individual,” she added.Hilary’s Place opens tomorrow, at WindReach, in Warwick.“It’s a pilot project at the moment,” said Mrs Sherratt. “We thought we’d give family caregivers a midweek break.”All family caregivers on the Island are welcome to attend Hilary’s Place on Wednesday’s from 10am to noon as a place to relax and socialise with others.“They can stay for the full two hours or just come for part of the time,” said Mrs Sherratt.And she noted the beauty of having it at WindReach is that the facility is completely accessible to the handicapped.This gives caregivers with loved ones who are in wheelchairs, using walkers or other equipment, the ability to also attend.“Family caregivers who cannot get time to attend Hilary’s Place without the person they are looking after, can bring them along,” said Mrs Sherratt, but she warned: “We are a drop-in service, not a drop off. You cannot drop off your loved one, go shopping and then pick them up later. We are not equipped to do that,’ she said.(It should also be noted that this service is not intended for professional caregivers, those who are paid and carry out their services as regularly scheduled work. This is because free time and holidays are already a part of their life.)Hilary’s Place will be a venue and provide an opportunity for family caregivers to share a cup of tea, and talk with other caregivers. They may share tips and advice and WindReach staff and Hilary’s Place volunteers we will be on hand to offer their support and encouragement.Nurse Furbert is one of those who will sometimes be on hand. She reminisced that Mrs Soares offered her a great opportunity back in the 1980s with the opening of PALS, to be part of a new programme of care, and she said the creation of Hilary’s Place keeps that spirit of hers alive today.