常见问题解答
Have questions about hospice, palliative care, and grief?
Hospice FAQs
What is hospice?
Hospice is a philosophy of care that focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for people living with life-limiting illness. Care supports the whole person – physical, emotional, social, and spiritual.
Who is hospice care for?
Hospice care is for individuals with serious illness and for the people who care about them. It supports both the person receiving care and their family or caregivers.
Where is hospice care provided?
Hospice care can be provided in many settings, including at home, in hospice facilities, long-term care, or hospitals, depending on individual needs and community resources.
There are three hospice residences in Nova Scotia:
- Halifax Hospice (located in south end of Halifax)
- Valley Hospice (located in Kentville)
- Hospice Cape Breton (located in Sydney)
For more information on where to access hospice services, please visit our Local Supports page.
Does hospice mean giving up?
No. Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life. It supports people in living as fully and comfortably as possible.
Is hospice only for the final days of life?
Hospice care can be helpful at different stages of serious illness and is most effective when introduced early, alongside other supports.
What is a hospice residence?
Hospice care is a part of palliative care. A hospice residence provides a home-like setting for people who are nearing the end of life, who don’t require care in the hospital, yet have more care needs than can be provided at home, to live to their fullest. Hospice care involves a wide range of services to support patients and their families to live as fully and comfortably as possible. Patients receive professional nursing care with physician support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This includes medical and personal care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Other health care providers, such as social workers, music therapists, and trained volunteers provide emotional, spiritual, grief and bereavement support.
Is there a cost?
Hospice residences are available to all Nova Scotian’s with a valid health card. Additional costs may apply. Please ask your local hospice what this may mean for you. For example, at Halifax Hospice (operated by the Halifax Hospice Society) medications are supplied by a community pharmacy, so if there is a copay for your medication when you are at home, that may be the same when you are in Hospice. At Valley Hospice and Hospice Cape Breton (operated by Nova Scotia Health) medications are supplied the same as if you were in hospital. If a person requires an ambulance transfer from home to hospice, there may be costs with this. Speak with your hospice team to learn more and if you have any concerns about costs.
How do I access a hospice residence in Nova Scotia?
Each hospice residence has their own referral and admission process. You can find details here.
Palliative Care FAQs
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialized care that focuses on improving quality of life for people living with serious illness by addressing pain, symptoms, and stress.
When can palliative care begin?
Palliative care can begin at any stage of illness and can be provided alongside treatment or other forms of care.
Who provides palliative care?
Palliative care is provided by an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, and other professionals.
Is palliative care only for people at end of life?
No. Palliative care supports people at any point during serious illness, not only at end of life.
How does palliative care support families?
Palliative care supports families by helping them navigate decisions, manage stress, and access emotional and practical supports.
Are there any resources I can access to learn more about the palliative care process?
Yes. We have a Palliative Care Resources page on our website.
Grief & Emotional Wellness FAQs
What is grief?
Grief is a natural response to loss. It can affect emotions, thoughts, physical health, relationships, and daily life.
Is grief only related to death?
No. Grief can follow many kinds of loss, including changes in health, relationships, identity, or life circumstances.
What does emotional wellness mean?
Emotional wellness is the ability to recognize, express, and manage emotions, build resilience, and maintain meaningful connections, especially during difficult times.
Is there a “right” way to grieve?
No. Grief is personal and unique. There is no timeline or single way to experience grief.
When should someone seek grief support?
Support can be helpful at any time. Reaching out may be especially important if grief feels overwhelming or interferes with daily life.
If you are in crisis or facing an emergency, call 911, visit the nearest Emergency Department, or contact the Mental Health Crisis Line at: 1-888-429-8167
Is there a "one-stop" online grief resource that I can access?
Yes, you can access our Healing Pathways – Grieving Well online directory.
Healing Pathways – Grieving Well is a province-wide online directory designed to help individuals, families, and communities find grief-related supports and services in Nova Scotia.
The directory brings together community-based, culturally responsive, and grief-informed resources in one accessible place. It helps people identify supports that align with their needs, values, and lived experiences, while also increasing awareness of the many organizations and programs offering grief support across the province.
Grieving Well is part of NSHPCA’s broader effort to strengthen grief literacy and ensure that no one has to navigate grief alone.
What does "emotional wellness" mean?
Through community consultation in Cumberland, Colchester and East Hants over May and June 2023 a key theme from participants was that the term mental health/mental wellness can be stigmatizing. As such we are using the term emotional wellness to describe the mental and emotional health and wellbeing concerns experienced and described by community in the engagements and the MCC Report.