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The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of individuals and their families when they are facing a life-threatening illness. You may also hear it called “hospice care”. Hospice is also a place or building where people can stay at the end of their lives to receive palliative care.
Good palliative care provides relief from pain and other distressing physical symptoms (i.e. nausea or trouble breathing). It pays close attention to people’s emotional, spiritual, psychological, and practical needs. Palliative approaches to care do not aim to speed up death or extend living, but they do help people enjoy the time they have left to live, and plan for death as a natural and normal part of being alive.
Palliative approaches to care are helpful anytime someone has been diagnosed with any serious, life threatening illness (not just cancer!). They are not just for the final days and hours of life. They are helpful when used with treatments that are sometimes given to extend life, like chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
Every member of the healthcare team can offer individuals and their families palliative approaches to care. Palliative care happens in many places, including: doctor’s offices, hospitals, hospices, prisons, long term care homes, retirement homes and even your home if that is right for you and your family.
Some people will decide that a hospice is the best place for them to stay and receive palliative care as they near the end of their lives.
There are four places in Hamilton with hospice care beds. Several of these places also offer palliative care programs and services that people can enjoy while they are still living at home. You are welcome to use these services even if you do not think you would want to stay in the Hospice in the future.
Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice Centre for Palliative Care
Good Shepherd Centre - Emmanuel House
Hospice - St Joseph's Villa – Margaret’s Place Hospice