FacebookSupporting a loved one at the end of life through palliative care | Bonjour Residences

Supporting a loved one at the end of life through palliative care

Published: 
3 min
Loved one in palliative care

Your parent's health is deteriorating? Treatments for his illness no longer relieving his symptoms and no other treatment is available? It may be time to think about residences offering palliative care. Pain reduction, support and care, these residences have a team of health professionals on site who can provide comfort and relief to patients suffering from chronic diseases, including massage therapy, occupational therapy, etc.

 

Here is an article that will answer your questions about palliative care, in order to better support a loved one at the end of life.

 

What is palliative care?

To better understand what palliative care is, here is a definition from the government : “Palliative care means all the treatment and care given to patients suffering from a terminal illness. Without delaying or hastening death, palliative care aims at giving patients and those close to them the best possible quality of life and providing them with the support they need. Palliative care is organized and provided through the collaborative efforts of a care team to which patients and those close to them contribute. ”

 

The goals of palliative care are:

  • Provide symptom and pain relief
  • Offer support to caregivers
  • Care and support services

 

Among the services offered to palliative care residents, we find:

  • Professional services (e.g. occupational therapist, massage therapist, nutritionist, respiratory therapy, etc.)
  • Medical care
  • Respite for caregivers
  • Hygiene and comfort care

 

When does entry into palliative care start?

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada specifies that "when a chronic disease progresses to the point where no other treatment is available, end-of-life (palliative) care may be an appropriate option."  These are mainly patients who are terminally ill.

 

Palliative care at home or in an institution?

Various care settings are available to patients at the end of their life: at home or in an establishment (residence, palliative care home or hospital). Among these choices, which one to choose? Here is a table summarizing particularities to take into account, according to your own situation and your needs, before taking a final decision. 

 

 

 Home

 Establishment

 Particularities

  • Familiar and comfortable living environment

  • Respect of privacy

  • Requires presence of a caregiver 24 hours a day

  • CLSC participation throughtout the process

  • Involvement of the caregiver in all daily tasks

  • Psychological support for the caregiver and his family

  • Material adapted to the necessary needs (eg. adapted bed, oxygen, etc)

  • Treatments available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

  • Respect for privacy

  • Respite for loved ones

  • Services included for peace of mind (meals, housekeeping, laundry service, etc.)

  • Professional services (occupational therapy, massage therapy, etc.) available on site

 

Find a residence for seniors offering palliative care in Quebec

Residences with palliative care in Montreal

Residences with palliative care in Laval

Residences with palliative care in the Laurentians

Residences with palliative care in Lanaudière

Residences with palliative care in Chaudière-Appalaches

Residences with palliative care in Quebec

Residences with palliative care in Mauricie

Residences with palliative care in Montérégie

Residences with palliative care in Estrie

Residences with palliative care in Center-du-Québec

Residences with palliative care in Outaouais

Residences with palliative care in Bas-Saint-Laurent

Residences with palliative care in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Residences with palliative care in Îles-de-la-Madeleine

 

Resource Directory - Palliative Care

Share this resource