Palliative Care
Home is often the most comforting and supportive place to be when you and your family are facing end-of-life care and decisions. Our team forms an integral part of your circle of care as you or your family member enter this phase of life. We work closely with your existing supports and professional services and bring in additional services as needed.
Hospice Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners connect, support and care for patients who have a life-limiting illness. Our nurses help people and families understand their options and provide support.
Palliative Circle of Care
Your circle of care may include physicians, care coordinators, pain and symptom management consultants, advanced practice nurses, hospice staff, community health care providers, pharmacy, spiritual care and others within your existing support network.
We also recognize the importance of family and friends and include them in the process as much as possible, if you wish.
Your care team strives to relieve suffering and improve the quality of living supporting individuals and their loved ones regardless of age, diagnosis or prognosis. Your care team will support your values and wishes which may include receiving end-of-life care in a hospice residence setting.
What do Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners do?
Palliative care nurse practitioners serve our patients and families in a number of ways:
- Provide early diagnosis of hospice palliative care needs
- Provide direct clinical care in your home (within the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner)
- Help you identify the best possible place to spend your remaining days, whether that be home, hospital or hospice
- If you choose to remain at home, we support you to live comfortably in your own home for as long as possible
- Help improve pain and symptom management through medication and other interventions
- Support and coordinate access and referrals to specialist services
A Palliative Approach to Care
Ontario Health atHome can connect you with a variety of services including care coordination for people who are living with a progressive, life-limiting illness. Palliative care coordination teams are committed to providing sensitive and skilled care to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of you, your family and caregivers. We have expertise and knowledge about a palliative approach to care – a layer of care and services designed to improve the quality of life for you, your family and caregivers while facing a serious, life-limiting illness.
The palliative approach to care is focused solely on your needs, conserving your dignity through each stage of the journey. Our team is here to help provide information and support, and to connect you and your loved ones with community resources. Your care coordinator will work with you, your family and your health care team to develop a care plan that will meet your care needs which may include:
- Support and resources
- Information about community supports
- Pain and symptom management
- Information about respite care, visiting volunteers, wellness programs, hospice day programs and hospice residences
- Education, counseling and emotional support
- Bereavement support and community resources
Together with your care team, your care coordinator will work in partnership with you, your family and caregivers to make sure your care plan matches your values, wishes and goals.
For more palliative care information and resources, visit the Ontario Palliative Care Network (opens in a new tab) .
