How Home Care Assistance can provide guidance, comfort and peace of mind in palliative care.

When it comes to palliative care, the right type of support can make all the difference. Once loved ones reach the stage where curative treatment is no longer possible, Home Care Assistance can help. We offer comprehensive support for your whole palliative journey to provide your loved one with peace, comfort and dignity in dying, while bringing peace of mind and respite to your family.

We can be there around the clock and go where you need us

We specialize in around-the-clock, 24/7 care. Knowing a trustworthy caregiver is providing the best possible care reduces stress and enhances the value of your remaining time with your loved one. Plus Home Care Assistance can work anywhere – with hospice patients in inpatient hospice facilities, hospitals, assisted living centers, skilled nursing centers and at home. Wherever your loved one may be, we focus on enhancing the quality of remaining life by keeping him or her as comfortable, alert and functional as possible.

We provide specialized Palliative Case Management:

Our Palliative Case Managers are highly experienced nurses who can expertly help Clients and families navigate this difficult and overwhelming journey. Clients’ needs change frequently and require trained observation and the ability to pivot to meet the clients needs 24/7. Our case managers provide active advocacy for the client and ongoing oversight to take the stress and burden off families and allow them to enjoy the remaining time with their loved ones in peace and love. They assist with the following:

  • Attend individualized care conference with family and interdisciplinary team (doctor, Health Care Authority, etc)
  • Develop a customized, organic care plan that captures the Client’s individual needs and respects their personal wishes
  • Select, train and supervise the team of caregivers working with the Client
  • Assist with medications and liaise with the Pharmacy
  • Work with the Health Care Authority to maximize their involvement and hours to supplement any care if needed or wanted
  • Conduct home visits daily to weekly depending on the needs
  • Provide ongoing collaboration and updates to the family
  • Respond quickly to unexpected need, with 24/7 access to support
  • Support the client and family with compassion, understanding and competence.

Home Care Assistance caregivers provide personal care, assist with transfers, medication reminders, and monitoring, prepare meals, do laundry, clean the house, pick up prescriptions, run errands and more. Most importantly, we can be there when you can’t.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing that when you are unable to be there, your loved one is in professional and caring hands.

We deliver high-caliber caregivers

Whether at home, in the hospital, or in a facility, Home Care Assistance will provide the most compassionate caregivers specially trained in palliative care wherever you need it. Our caregivers are carefully screened to ensure we provide only the most conscientious and dedicated people and are trained to understand the unique needs of palliative patients. They provide safety, companionship and emotional support, devoting 100% of their attention to maintaining a positive and healthy environment for your loved one as long as possible. They can address the special needs of those nearing the end of life in many ways, including:

  • Safety monitoring, hydration, nutritional management, frequent reposition, oral care, transfers, mechanical lifts, skin and wound care, and medication and administration support
  • Knowledge of necessary equipment and supplies such as oxygen support
  • Support pain management and symptoms in a timely and effective way.
  • Balanced Care Method to meet physical, mental, social and nutritional needs
  • Assist with daily household duties
  • Serve as an emotional support system
  • Preventing a sense of abandonment with one-to one companionship and support
  • Offering respite for family members

If you are interested in learning more about Home Care Assistance and how our palliative program can help you and your loved one, call us today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays so you will always be speaking directly with a person. We are committed to providing your loved one with the highest quality palliative journey wherever they may be.

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of thinking about what your values, beliefs, and preferences are, and communicating these in relation to the care you would want in a future situation in which you could not speak for yourself.

Advance Care Planning is vital for all adults of all ages and stages of health but is imperative for those who are still capable of making their own decisions when they have life-threatening illnesses. When an adult has dementia, it is essential that Advance Care Planning is completed as soon as possible.

Advance Care Planning includes:

  • Conversations with loved ones and future decision makers about preferences for care.
  • Formally naming a Substitute Decision Maker as a Representative.
  • Writing an Advance Directive with values, beliefs and preferences for future care.
  • No CPR orders if resuscitation is not advised or desired.
  • Other end of life documentation.

Connie Jorsvik, BSN, a senior healthcare navigator and Advance Care Planning specialist can provide individualized counselling and support for individuals and families on how to have these difficult discussions and can help to prepare these vital documents. Connie is the National Advance Care Planning Coordinator for Dying with Dignity Canada and is a local, provincial and national speaker on ACP.