I am in need of care
Hospice palliative care is for anyone facing a serious or life-limiting illness. It provides physical, emotional and spiritual care and support for individuals and their loved ones. Through a caregiving team of family, friends, interdisciplinary health care professionals and trained volunteers, needs and choices are sensitively met. Hospice palliative care is about living fully to the very end with dignity and respect.
Why do I need it?
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.
What services are available from hospice palliative care?
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
How do I access services?
Family physicians and front-line care providers, including care co-ordinators, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and spiritual care providers, all play a role in providing palliative care.
These providers can access support from a palliative care team, providers who specialize in complex care planning and symptom management. Their support can complement the care that patients receive from their primary care provider and other members of the care team, but is not meant to replace it.
For a list of contacts by region, please go here.
Where can hospice palliative care be provided?
Hospice palliative care can be provided in any setting at home, in hospitals, in nursing homes or in special hospice facilities.
How much does it cost?
Most palliative care services are free, but there may be some costs associated with hospice and hospital care.
Who will help my family when I am gone?
Palliative care also supports caregivers and family members. There are a number of support services for people who are grieving. Our Healing Pathways – Grieving Well online directory provides more information on how to access some of the resources your family may need.