McNally House Hospice Residence
The residential care area has 6 beds, all in private suites and has nursing and personal support staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our hospice residence is designed to have a homelike feel but with all of the amenities needed to provide exceptional end-of-life care. The focus is on the person and their family/loved ones and there are many areas available for them such as quiet rooms, outside space and family rooms. McNally House Hospice relies on volunteer to support our staff, residents and families.
Admission Requirements
For admission to a hospice residence, patients must:
- Have a life-limiting illness
- Present with a life expectancy of less than three months
- Understand the primary goal of care is quality of life, not cure of disease
- Have care needs that cannot be supported in community or alternative setting
- Have no requirement for acute care
- Not undergoing active treatment
- Agree with the hospice philosophy of care
- Agree to the referral
Is Hospice Residence Right for Me?
We know that thinking about end-of-life care is difficult. Caring for someone at home can also be difficult too, especially closer to end of life. It’s always better to ask for a referral if you’re thinking about coming to our hospice residence, before you feel in crisis.
Things to Consider
Is there a cost
All programs and services provided by McNally House Hospice are free of cost.
Referral to our hospice residence
You will need a referral form completed by a Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) Coordinator. You can call 905-684-9441 or 1-800-810-0000 and speak to a care coordinator. This form can also be completed by your coordinator, your family doctor or the Palliative Care Nurse Clinician.
Once McNally House receives your referral, the DOC at McNally House will call you and your family to let you know that your referral has been received and to answer any questions.
If a bed is available and the DOC identifies that the individual meets the eligibility criteria and priority, a visit to the home/site of care, virtual call or phone call will be arranged to assess the person’s and family’s needs and concerns.
When is the right time to call?
Many people say they wish they had called us sooner.
Caring for a loved one at home can be challenging, especially closer to end of life. It’s always better to call for a referral before you feel in crisis, even if your loved one wants to die at home.
It’s important to know that you do not need to wait for a nurse, doctor or someone on a healthcare team to suggest hospice care. You can start the conversation and request a referral from your doctor or case manager.
Being referred does not mean your loved one will immediately come to the residence. The time needs to be right for everyone, and space needs to be available here.
Once there is a referral, the Director of Care will call or visit to better understand your loved one’s wishes and goals of care.
Is there a waiting list?
Admission to McNally House is based on a variety of assessment factors, and is not tied to the length of time on the referral list. People who are most urgently in need are prioritized.
What should I bring from home?
- Power of Attorney (POA) document for personal care. Learn more about naming a power of attorney here
- Medication
- Preferred clothing, sleepwear, non-skid slippers/socks
- Personal Items: Toothpaste and toothbrush, razors, shaving cream, hairbrush, deodorant, body wash, lotion
- Items to make your loved one feel comfortable. Example,pictures and favourite items.
Life at McNally House
We strive to provide a home like setting in our hospice residents. We recognize that when a cure is not possible, providing care and comfort. Focus is on resident and their loved ones.
Things You Can Expect
Private Rooms
McNally House has 6 private suites, each equipped with a private washroom and shower. Each suite has access to an outdoor patio. Suites also include free of charge; a telephone with world-wide long distance, WIFI and TV with cable.
You are welcome to bring in personal items such as pictures and mementos that are significant to the resident.
McNally House Hospice provides laundering services for all residents.
Shared Spaces
McNally House offers a number of shared indoor and outdoor spaces for you and your loved ones to enjoy during your stay.
Meals
Our staff and volunteers prepare all meals for our residents. Meals are all homemade and flexible to meet the needs and wants of the residents. While meals are not available to visitors and family, we encourage family to bring items and store them in the resident’s fridge to minimize the expense of purchasing meals. There is always coffee, tea, water, and soup available on the family counter and usually some baked goods you can help yourself to.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome 24 hours a day, subject to the needs and requests of the resident or their decision maker. Any changes to this will be communicated as needed (ie Pandemic restrictions). A volunteer or staff member will open the door for you. For the safety of the house, please do not open the door for anyone other than those visiting your loved one.
Children are welcome to visit the hospice. We ask that children are supervised by someone 16 or older at all times.
Your furry friends are welcome to visit our hospice as well. Please ensure you speak to staff before your pets first visit. A rabies certificate must be provided prior. If you have a pet other than a cat or dog please speak with the Director of Care.
Psycho-Spiritual Support
The Psycho-Spiritual Clinician works closely with the staff and volunteers at the hospice to support the holistic wellbeing of every resident, as well as their friends and family. This care includes a safe & confidential space to explore any psychological, social, spiritual and/or emotional needs. We at McNally believe that life can be lived in every moment. Our Psycho-Spiritual Clinician is here to create a unique and compassionate care plan that encompasses the wishes and needs of all residents and their loved ones.
Some possible reasons for meeting might include:
- To reflect on life, your values & the things that matter most to you
- Coping with feelings of loss and/or anticipatory grief
- Exploring & embracing one’s own unique spiritual path, or scheduling visits with spiritual care providers from your specific faith tradition
- Exploring and addressing any unresolved worries or concerns
- Supporting children in the family
- Engaging in relaxation or guided meditation exercises that can help you feel peaceful, or to help manage anxiety
- Writing letters and/or cards to be given to loved ones in the present or future, or being referred to our Art Therapist for legacy art activities
- Sharing stories & celebrating your connections with loved ones
- Creating special memories for residents to share with their family & friends, such as dinner parties, movie nights, etc.
- Planning a Celebration of Life, or funeral/burial arrangements
McNally House’s Psycho-Spiritual Clinician, Arthur Loik, can be reached at ext. 33 or by email.
Art Therapy Services
The Art Therapy Program at McNally House Hospice provides an opportunity for legacy art-making as way of processing this personal experience of dying, loss, grief and bereavement. The Art Therapy Program is an art based complimentary therapy which involves understanding and honouring the experiences, interests and wishes that hold meaning and value for each individual. Art therapy can enhance an individual’s well-being by providing a safe space to be creative; lessening feelings of depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness and isolation.
Art therapy can take any form of creative expression, which is why each art therapy session (as part of a larger care plan) is as personalized as the individual who engages in the creative process. Art-making as therapy supports the individual resident and their circle of support in its entirety. Families have expressed the value of working together, of connecting with loved ones at the end of their life, and with having a personalized legacy art-making process as a keepsake after their loved one’s death for generations to come.
McNally House’s Art Therapist, Shara McLaren can be reach at ext. 26 or by email.
Your Care Team
Nurses
The Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for the nursing care of our residents and their families. Each nurse functions within the scope of their practice according to the College of Nurses of Ontario.
Personal Support Workers (PSW)
The PSW is a caregiver with hospice palliative care training who assists our residents with their personal care needs and supports the resident and family through the dying process.
Physicians
McNally House Hospice’s model of care encourages the family doctor to maintain their relationship with the patient as they enter into hospice, if they are able, while having the support of specialized palliative care physicians. Physicians are available to our Nursing Team 24 hours a day.
Director of Care (DOC)
The DOC is a registered nurse who works with our staff to ensure that their knowledge and skill is current in the field of hospice palliative care. The DOC ensures that best practices are maintained throughout our hospice. The DOC liaises with our Niagara West Palliative Care Team and Home and Community Care Support Services and organizes admissions to McNally House.
Volunteers
We have both client support and operational support volunteers. Client support volunteers interact with residents and families. Operational support complete many valuable tasks that keep our organization going! Our volunteers are an integral part of our day-to-day operations.