Hospice Palliative Care

WHAT IS HOSPICE PALLIATIVE CARE?

In the Middle Ages, a hospice was a resting place for travelers on a difficult journey.  There is no journey more difficult for the person facing a life threatening illness.

While hospice may represent a physical "place" such as Ty Watson House in Port Alberni, the larger definition of Hospice Palliative Care today is a "philosophy of care" that can take place anywhere. Hospice palliative care is based on a commitment to the whole person.  It combines active and compassionate therapies intended to provide comfort and support and strives to:

• address physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical issues, and their associated expectations, needs hopes and fears
• promote opportunities for meaningful and valuable experiences, personal and spiritual growth, and self-actualization
• prepare for and manage self-determined life closure and the dying process
• cope with loss and grief during the illness and bereavement

WHO SHOULD ACCESS HOSPICE PALLIATIVE CARE?

Hospice Palliative Care (HPC) is appropriate for any person and/or family living with, or at risk of developing, a life limiting illness and are prepared to accept care.

It is recommended that clients explore and/or access available services in the community after being given a life limiting diagnosis.  This is a time when one can often be overwhelmed by any number of questions, thoughts and feelings. Sometimes it helps just  to hear that what you are going through is normal or to be expected. Other times support sorting through some of  the jumble can be beneficial.

We can provide information, emotional and practical support from the time of diagnosis (even if a full recovery is expected), through advanced illness, death and bereavement. Support is provided for family, friends, and caregivers.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY  HOSPICE PALLIATIVE CARE TEAM

While definitions sometimes vary, in the Alberni Valley "palliative" refers to the professional side of end-of-life care provision (physician, home or hospital nurses, home support workers, other professionals) and "hospice" refers to the volunteer component of care. Both sides work together as a team.

As part of the HPC team, volunteers are sensitive to the expectations and needs of each person and family. They respect and ackowledge the differences between people and the need for each individual and family to retain the power of choice--to face their illness and possible death in their own way and with dignity.

HOPE FOR BEST QUALITY OF LIFE

The aim of the entire HPC team is to relieve suffering and improve the quality of living and dying and ultimately help a person to die a "good death", what ever this means to the person. In most incidences those who are experiencing a life limiting illness and are faced with the possibility of dying, find a new or more intense meaning and importance to the quality of their relationship to others and to life itself. 

The threat of death often causes one to seek comfort and security in spiritual beliefs and wonder if one has made a positive difference in the lives of others. Some people experience anger and despair or worry about "being a burden".

Seeking comfort at end of life means addressing PAIN, whether this is physical, emotional, social or spiritual pain.

It is essential to effectively manage the physical pain and other symptoms so energy can be devoted to attending to this unique emotional, social and spiritual experience. This gives the individual time to find personal meaning and come to completion of life with integrity and dignity.

While the physician and nurses will help to manage the physical pain and other symptoms, volunteers can provide practical, emotional and spiritual support through all the stages of illness and bereavement.