I am in need of care

Palliative care will help you manage your illness, particularly pain and symptoms so you can continue to live life as well as you can while dealing with your illness. You may need it or want to have it from diagnosis or you may choose to take it up once your illness progresses to a certain stage. You may have an on-off rotation through palliative care through various stages of your illness as you have periods of wellness and illness. 

The number and variety of hospice palliative care services will vary from place to place but here are some examples: 

• Expert medical care to help with pain and other symptoms 
• Emotional support for family members and friends 
• Spiritual support, covering all faiths and beliefs 
• Trained volunteers to visit and give emotional support 
• Arranging for home care services 
• Arranging respite care for at-home caregivers 
• Telephone counselling in crisis situations 
• Help in adjusting to change 
• Ongoing bereavement support after the death of a loved one 

To ensure an individual/family centered approach, increased access, and a timely response to services, each district has its own referral process. There are palliative care services available in all health districts in Nova Scotia. A Provincial Directory of Palliative Care Programs listing local contacts throughout Nova Scotia is available here.

Palliative care is available to anyone with a life-limiting illness, not just cancer patients. People living with dementia, chronic conditions or degenerative conditions can access palliative care. 

Hospice palliative care can be provided in any setting –at home, in hospitals, in nursing homes or in special hospice facilities. 

Most palliative care services are free, but there may be some costs associated with hospice and hospital care. 

Palliative care is multidisciplinary team care—so care is shared between a range of providers from specialists to general practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals and social workers. 

Palliative care also supports caregivers and family members. There are a number of support services for people who are grieving. See Grief and Bereavement for more information.