What is Hospice Palliative Care
Hospice palliative care is a philosophy of care that can be received in any setting such as home, hospital or hospice residence. The goal of hospice palliative care is to address physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical issues, that are commonly experienced during the last stages of life.
Hospice palliative care aims to treat all active issues identified by the individual and their loved ones, prevent new issues from occurring and promote opportunities for meaningful and valuable experiences and personal and spiritual growth.
What We provide
A hospice residence provides a palliative approach to care aimed at relieving suffering and improving the quality of living and dying for those at end of life. Those who choose hospice residence care typically have a life expectancy of three months or less and have made the decision, along with their doctor and family to replace curative goals with comfort and conservative goals.
McNally House Hospice offers a home-like setting to support both residents and their loved ones throughout the final stages of a life-limiting illness.
Most people, if asked, will say they dream of a peaceful, comfortable death surrounded by their loved ones. McNally House Hospice brings together an interdisciplinary team of palliative care trained professionals to deliver services that can make that dream a reality, and to fulfill the mission of hospice care by affirming life and viewing death as a natural process.
Our focus
The focus of care at McNally House Hospice neither prolongs life nor hastens death, but rather helps residents live the remainder of their lives as fully as possible. Hospice palliative care aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of living and dying.
Those who deliver hospice palliative care aim to treat the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – and help them through their final days by providing:
- Comfort
- Hope, dignity and choice
- Continuity of care
- Emotional and practical support
- Educational resources and community connections
- Sensitivity to personal, cultural and religious values, beliefs, and practices
- Grief and bereavement support
Our Care Philosophy
Care for the Whole Person
McNally House Hospice has everything needed for live-in accommodation. Residents, and their family and friends are welcomed to a warm and friendly setting.
Resident care, professional services, companionship, counseling and spiritual support complement the home-like setting. Both professional and volunteer caregivers in the hospice are trained and have the special sensitivity needed for a role that is as rewarding as it is challenging.
Hospice staff and volunteers work closely with other health care providers.
Support for Family and Friends
Hospice care extends to the residents’ families and friends. Visitors are welcomed 24 hours a day. Family and friends of hospice residents occasionally spend the night at the hospice.
Accommodation is available either in one of our quiet rooms or on a cot in the resident’s bedroom.
Although meals cannot be provided to our resident’s family and visitors, a pantry offering warm soup, coffee, tea and baked goods is always available.
Model of Care
McNally House Hospice Residence offers a collaborative, population-based model of care through unique partnerships with other local programs. In support of Primary Care capacity building, the resident’s own Family Physician remains the MRP (most responsible physician) for their resident throughout the stay.
Guided by the philosophy of palliative care, based on the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association’s ‘A Model to Guide Hospice Palliative Care’ (2013), an interprofessional* team, each member is knowledgeable and skilled in all aspects of care within their discipline of practice, and provides expert support.
McNally House is an inclusive hospice and does not discriminate; each potential resident is regarded as unique. We believe in the dignity and worth of every person, embracing and honouring diversity, equity, and inclusion.