Hospice and end-of-life care at home
When the aim of care changes from getting better to being comfortable, most people would rather be at home. We support that, and we support the people around it.
If you want to talk to someone, the number is 902-877-8450
What this care covers
- Comfort and personal care, at whatever pace the day allows
- Help with pain relief and medication as set out by the care team
- Being there overnight, so somebody is awake when it matters
- Practical help around the house so the family is not also running it
- Sitting with someone so they are not alone, and so family can rest
- Support for the people in the house, not only the person in the bed
Who it is for
- Someone who has chosen to be at home for this
- A family who want to be family rather than full-time carers
- A household where the nights have become impossible
- Anyone already working with a palliative team who needs more hours in the house
What to expect from a caregiver
Quiet competence. Somebody who has done this before, who is not frightened of the room, and who does not fill silence that does not need filling.
They work to the plan the palliative or medical team has set, and they keep that team informed. Nothing about the clinical direction changes because we are in the house.
They will look after the family too. Making sure somebody has eaten, or has had four hours of sleep, is part of the work rather than a kindness on top of it.
Questions people ask
Is it too soon to call?
No. People often call to understand what would be possible long before they need it, and that is a reasonable thing to do.
Do you work with the palliative care team we already have?
Yes. We work to their plan and keep them informed. We are extra hours and extra hands in the house, not a change of direction.
Can somebody be here at night?
Yes, including waking nights. It is one of the most common things families ask for, because the nights are usually what breaks a household first.
If you want to talk it through
You can call and ask what would be possible without arranging anything. A lot of people do.
The number is 902-877-8450