Hospice palliative care isn’t something most people like to talk about – or may even know about - yet it’s a very important subject to understand because eventually most of us will find ourselves in a position where we, or our loved ones, could benefit from it.

Hospice palliative care is made up of two parts – hospice care and palliative care. Palliative care, also known as comfort care, is appropriate for people of any age and at any stage of a serious illness while hospice care is generally for those who have twelve or fewer months to live and who are no longer receiving active curative treatment. Hospice palliative care combines both philosophies.

An important objective of hospice palliative care is the relief of pain and other symptoms the person might be experiencing. It not only meets physical needs, but also the psychological, social, cultural, emotional and spiritual needs of each person and their family.

Most people approaching end-of-life are cared for by family members and friends. Dealing with the stress and challenges of caring for a terminally ill individual, on top of managing your own daily life, can be a tremendous undertaking that warrants some help. Hospice palliative care plays an important role by providing support through companionship and caregiver relief, which powerfully and positively impacts the lives of the dying individual and their family/friends.

Quality hospice palliative care neither hastens death nor prolongs life. It may be the focus of care, for when a cure for the illness is no longer possible. Ultimately, hospice palliative care helps people experience their remaining time in comfort, dignity, and together as a family. People can receive hospice palliative care in many different places, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospice residences such as the Stan Klemencic Care Centre and even in their own home.   

For example, Hospice Quinte provides a volunteer visiting program to people who are in the terminal stage of a life limiting illness. These volunteers visit with patients, providing respite to caregivers so they can attend to their own needs. Our volunteers can provide up to four hours of service each week, to be scheduled as needed. They provide social, emotional, and practical support to the patient, their family/friends, and other caregivers.

In Canada, 99% of palliative care received at home is provided by family or friends, making informal caregivers an important part of the hospice palliative care team. Statistics show that it takes an average of 54 hours per week to care for a dying family member. This is why assistance for caregivers is such a critical component of what Hospice Quinte provides, not only by giving them a break from their caregiving duties, but also to support them in their time of grief and bereavement. 

If you would like to know more about hospice palliative care, visit the Hospice Quinte website, where you will find many resources on all aspects of hospice palliative care, end of life issues, advance care planning, as well as grief and bereavement.

Hospice Quinte provides individuals, their families, and caregivers with compassionate end of life care by attending to their physical, psychosocial, and practical needs, and offering empathetic care to those who are grieving through visiting hospice services and support groups.  All Hospice Quinte programs and services are provided by compassionate, well-trained volunteers and staff at no charge to the individual or their family.  We serve a population of over 102,000 in Quinte West, Belleville, Deseronto, Tyendinaga Township and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.