Hospice Residences w w w. f r a s e r h e a l t h. c a in Fraser Health Dame Cicely Saunders (1976) Founder of modern hospice movement 280119 Rev. May 28, 2014 R-4 Design: www.kochink.com You matter because you are you and you matter until the last moment of your life. We will do all we can to help you, not only to die peacefully, but to live until you die.
What is a hospice residence? As a person s life draws to a close, the time comes when the focus changes from working towards a cure to loving care and comfort. Paying It is a attention place that to what provides makes the comfort individual feel care better for and people what causes who are discomfort in their enables last families weeks and or professionals months to of decide life. on the most effective way to provide care. As comfort becomes the primary goal, the patient s care must include active management of pain and other unpleasant symptoms, as well as The caring hospices support of the are small patient and family. have Comfort only 10 also to involves 20 bedrooms. supporting the wishes of the dying patient, her personal values and beliefs, and those of her loved ones. What is a hospice? comfort We focus on your quality of living and dying. In Fraser Health a hospice, or hospice residence, is a home-like place that Doctors provides and this nurses specialized work comfort on care your for people pain living and with other a life-threatening illness during the last weeks of their lives. Often physically attached to a residential mood. Staff and trained care facility, hospital, or other type hospice volunteers can of housing, a hospice usually has 10 to talk 20 patient with you bedrooms. about A hospice your is hopes always and separate fears from and the rest what of the can building be done in which to help it is situated. ease troubling symptoms like difficulty breathing or low your mind. 1 Hospice Residences in Fraser Health
What kind of care and is provided? services are provided in a hospice? Hospice is a family friendly place and our goal is to support you and the people who are important to The hospice provides a compassionate environment for the patient, the you. patient s family, and close friends. The goal of hospice palliative care is always to provide comfort with dignity and to enhance each person s quality of life. Medical care is focused on reducing pain and other symptoms using medicines and simple, but effective, treatments. Hospice Intravenous care therapy focuses (not usually on mind, helpful at body the end and of life) spirit. is not used in the hospice as fluids can be given in other ways, if needed. Patients who require treatments outside the hospice to manage symptoms travel by non-emergency quality ambulance to a hospital of for the treatment life and return to the hospice the same day. Hospice care also includes respectful attention to body, mind, and spirit. Dying, death and mourning are seen as normal stages of life. Staff and trained hospice volunteers are comfortable with open discussions of patients and families hopes and fears, and the We practical work things with that you need to to identify be done to what set minds is most at rest. They also important support opportunities to you at for this patients time to spend and time to help doing you what is important to them at this stage of life. achieve your goals. We support you and your Relaxation therapies are available for patients family and to their spend families. time Hospice volunteers doing what can assist important patients in making and meaningful memory albums for other you. meaningful gifts. Families are welcome to gather at the hospice for meals or spend special holidays with their loved one. Hospice Residences in Fraser Health 2
Who provides the care? Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses provide 24-hour There are nurses to take professional care and a hospice care of you 24 hours a palliative care doctor is always day. When needed, they available. Doctors and nurses work can phone closely with a a palliative team of other specially care doctor trained professionals at any time. and volunteers who can be involved in the patient s care when needed. This team includes a social worker or counselor, a clinical nurse specialist, a clinical resource nurse, a doctor, a pharmacist, a volunteer coordinator, a spiritual care coordinator, and hospice society volunteers. Others who may be called in to enhance Doctors and nurses work with others: a social end-of-life care include a nutritionist or dietician, an occupational therapist and worker; a physiotherapist. a pharmacist; All work a towards spiritual an approach care coordinator; care that is best suited and hospice for each individual. society volunteers. The hospice doctor will care for you unless your family doctor wants to Family doctors often continue to care for their patients at the hospice. come to hospice. When this is not possible, the hospice doctor provides the medical care. The specially trained hospice society volunteers support patients and their families who request their services. Sensitive and caring, these volunteers are skilled listeners and respectful of each person s privacy and How beliefs. is a They hospice can provide different emotional and practical support at a time when it is most needed. from other care settings? Visiting hours are flexible and pets can visit during the day. There is a sleeper chair or sofa bed in most bedrooms so someone can stay with you at night. Your family are welcome to bring in food for you and them. Although this was a difficult time for us, the hospice staff and volunteers made us feel very comfortable and at ease. They took very good care of my father. They treated him with dignity and respect, like their own father. They gave comfort to our family when we were in need to talk to someone, or just to sit next to us in silence holding our hands. 3 Hospice Residences in Fraser Health
How is a hospice different from other care settings? Many treatments are not helpful at the end of Hospice life and careare not offered in hospice. Intravenous therapy In a hospice, (IV) furnishings is not used, and decorations as fluid are can home-like be given and in other hallways ways, are uncluttered. if the doctor A sleeper thinks chair or it sofa will bed help. is available in most patient bedrooms so family members can stay overnight. All patient rooms are private or semi-private In some cases, the with a two-piece washroom. doctor might want There are common spaces you for patients to go outside and families of the to eat hospice and relax to together; have a treatment quiet, private to areas help to sit your in symptoms. for a while; outdoor patios and treed areas in which to home breathe fresh air; or sunrooms with If this happens, you can travel to another care views of the outdoors. setting to have it, and return to hospice the same Routines day. are You flexible will and have the to pay for the cost of the travel. environment is quiet and calm. Family and friends can visit any time of the day or night and pets are welcome during the day. Hospices encourage families to care for their loved ones as appropriate and to look after themselves by helping themselves to refreshments and by providing or preparing Although this was a difficult time for us, the hospice their own food. staff and volunteers made us feel very comfortable and at ease. They took very good care of my father. They Hospital treated care him with dignity and respect, like their own father. They gave comfort to our family when we were in Hospitals need to offer talk patients to someone, tests and or procedures just to sit to next diagnose to us and in treat silence illnesses. holding They do our not hands. have the comforts of home or a major focus on emotional support with end-of-life issues that hospices provide. Hospice Residences in Fraser Health 4
Residential Who can care be admitted to hospice? Residential care settings specialize in providing personal care and activities for individuals who are unable to care for themselves. Residents often live there for months or years and become comfortable with their surroundings and caregivers. Most are able to stay in residential care right to the end of their lives. You can be cared for in hospice if the Hospice Palliative Care team agrees you need this special kind of care. Not everyone needs to go to hospice. To go to hospice you need to: agree that you do not want CPR Who can be admitted to hospice? be expected to live for weeks to 3 to 4 months Individuals registered with the Hospice Palliative Care Program can be admitted into hospice if they: have needs that cannot be taken care of at home or in residential care (nursing home) agree with the goal of care have a life expectancy of weeks agree to move back home or to residential care cannot if you be improve cared for at home require symptom management or respite but not hospital care ignity How Do I Get to Hospice? What is the process for hospice admission? If you are at home, the home care nurses will work with you to see if you need hospice, if you could stay at home with additional supports, or be taken care of in residential care (nursing home). If Some people prefer to live in their own home until the last minute of their life, with professional support. Others prefer the alternative of hospice care. If an individual is at home, the home care nurse can assist the patient/family with the choice between staying at home or hospice is the best choice for you, they will work going to a hospice, as well as selecting the right time to make the move. with you, your doctor, and the palliative team to help you get a bed. For palliative patients in hospital, the doctor decides when the services If you of are the in hospital, are no longer the palliative needed. At that care time team a nurse or social will worker assists with patients you and your families doctor in deciding to which see if type you of care will best meet their needs home, hospice, or residential care. They also help patients move to the care setting they choose. could go home, or to residential care. If they agree hospice is the best place for you, they will work to get you there. 5 Hospice Residences in Fraser Health
Choosing To which a hospice will I go? There are a number of hospices in Fraser Health There are several hospice residences in Fraser Health, each with similar care (see and the physical enclosed environments list). You (see the and enclosed your list). family All offer will brief tours, be asked which provide to tell an us idea the of area the look that and feel works of a hospice for you. and show how it differs from a hospital or residential care. Patients and/or However, some people have care needs that families may request a tour by speaking with a Hospice Palliative Care cannot be met in all hospices. If this happens, the nurse or social worker, or a homecare nurse. palliative care team will identify the site where your care needs can be met. Patients and families will be asked to choose the geographic area and hospice they prefer. When it is time to leave hospital or when a When patient a admission bed is is open, necessary you from will home, move the patient to a hospice will go to the that hospice can that meet has your a vacancy care in that needs. geographic Once area. you Patients are may choose in hospice, to transfer you to their can preferred choose hospice to move when to space another becomes available. location as long as your care needs can be met there. To arrange this, you can talk to the Patient There is a daily charge for staying in hospice, but no person is refused Care Coordinator. admission because You he is will unable have to pay. to Those pay who for have the concerns travel costs. about being able to pay the fee should ask to talk with the Hospice Palliative Care Social Worker. There is a daily cost to stay in hospice. If you are worried about this, look at the enclosed slip called What it Costs to Go to Hospice to see what you have to bring to the hospice social worker to have the rate lowered. quality of life Hospice Residences in Fraser Health 6
Hospice Residences w w w. f r a s e r h e a l t h. c a in Fraser Health Dame Cicely Saunders (1976) Founder of modern hospice movement 280119 Rev. May 28, 2014 R-4 Design: www.kochink.com You matter because you are you and you matter until the last moment of your life. We will do all we can to help you, not only to die peacefully, but to live until you die.