A palliative approach to care is a focus on care that improves the quality of life of an individual who has a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness.
A palliative approach to care is applicable early in the course of illness in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life.
Key aspects of this approach include:
- offering a support system to help an individual live as actively as possible until death
- providing relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- treating all active issues while preventing new issues
- investigations to characterize and manage distressing clinical complications
- helping the individual and their family prepare for and manage end-of-life choices and the dying process
- using a team approach to address the needs of an individual and their family
- helping the family cope with loss and grief
What we offer
We encourage family members and close friends to be involved in the resident's care. We take several steps to help facilitate this:
- We encourage family members and friends to visit often
- Services in the chapel are open to visitors, families and residents
- Registered staff is available around the clock to answer your questions
- We honour and respect the resident's advance directions regarding end-of-life choices
- We provide the ability for a resident to remain in their own space with their own belongings
We also offer nutritional care through a registered dietician, pastoral care and on-call clergy, and volunteer visitors through Senior Support Services.
Information for friends and family
When death is approaching, you may notice some changes that are part of the normal process of death.
- Your loved one will tend to sleep more and may be difficult to wake. This is a result of the body's metabolism slowing down
- Your loved one may be confused about time, place, and the people and things around them. Be comforting if this occurs.
- Loss of bowel and bladder control may occur as death approaches. The nervous system changes and the muscles become weaker.
- Hearing and vision will lessen as the nervous system slows.
- Your loved one may be restless, pull at the bed linens, or have visions you can't see. This results from slowed blood circulation causing less oxygen to the brain.
- There may be increased difficulty in controlling pain. Please speak to the nurse for comfort measures to assist with pain control.
- Your loved one may not take food or fluids as the need for these becomes less. Use moist towelettes to moisten the mouth and lips.
Don't hesitate to share any of your questions with us. We are here to help. To reach staff directly, call 905-774-7547.
