Palliative
Care
The
philosophy
of Hospice
Palliative
Care stems
from the
belief that
life is
meant to be
lived with
dignity and
comfort
until the
end,
surrounded
by a circle
of support.
Palliative
Care or
Hospice-Palliative
Care is a
special kind
of health
care for
individuals
and families
who are
living with
or dying
from
advanced
illness or
who are
bereaved.
Hospice
Palliative
Care strives
to help
patients and
families
address
physical,
psychological,
spiritual,
social and
practical
issues
surrounding
the end of
life and
deal with
their
associated
expectations,
needs, hopes
and fears.
With
emphasis on
the dignity
of the
person, it
aims to
relieve
suffering
and improve
the quality
of life.
Palliative
care should
be
introduced
early in the
course of an
illness, in
conjunction
with all
other
services
being
offered to
the patient
and family
in order
that it is
not feared.
Hospice-Palliative
Care can
span a
period of
days, weeks,
months or
even years.
It is
appropriate
for patients
of all ages
who are
dealing with
a life
threatening
illness -
from a child
with cancer
to a senior
nearing the
end of
life.
Palliative Care in Annapolis Valley Health (AVH)
The
Palliative
Care team is
available
for
consultation
in the home,
nursing home
or in
hospital
throughout
AVH. They
will provide
support and
education
for skills
development
of health
care
providers
working in
Palliative
Care. The
strength of
Annapolis
Valley
Health’s
Palliative
Care program
is closely
linked to
its strong
partnerships
with VON,
Continuing
Care Nova
Scotia,
volunteer
groups,
Cancer Care
Nova Scotia,
long term
care
facilities
and other
community
groups in
the
district.
Our
inpatient
facilities
provide
Palliative
Care
services for
those
patients who
cannot
remain at
home.
Patients or
family
members at
home wishing
to
self-refer
to
Palliative
Care for
home support
should
contact The
Continuing
Care Branch
of the
Department
of Health
(1-800-225-7225)
so that an
assessment
is done to
determine
the needs of
the patient.
Annapolis
Valley
Palliative
Care Program
