Philosophy and Beliefs

Our Philosophy

Hospice Palliative Care is whole-person health care that aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of living and dying
All people have the right to quality end-of life care that allows them to die with dignity, free of pain, surrounded by their loved ones, in the setting of their choice
Dying and grieving are natural and normal processes. Hospice palliative care (HPC) neither prolongs life nor hastens death.
The patient and family are the unit of care (“family” is understood to include significant others).
It is the right of all persons to receive the consistent physical, emotional and spiritual support necessary to maintain individuality and dignity while facing death and bereavement.
It is the right of the individual and family to be involved, according to ability, in the planning and choice of care and treatment, while at the same time, respecting the patient’s right to confidentiality.
Care is best provided for the dying and their families by a multidisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers in the community
Effective care must be coordinated and consistent, reflecting a common philosophy, and provided within professionally accepted standards of practice
The care team must receive continued and planned emotional and spiritual support and be committed individually to professional and personal growth.

Clients must retain the power of choice-whether it be of treatments or any other services--in order to face death with dignity and in their own way.
Clients and their loved ones must be well-informed, active decision-makers and partners in their care.
Living with a life limiting illness is extremely intense and demanding for loved ones as well as the client. Emotional, spiritual and practical support is required for clients and families through all the stages of illness and bereavement.
Management of total pain and symptoms: physical, emotional and spiritual is essential, so those facing death and their loved ones can devote their energies to embracing the richness of being together in the healing of hearts, minds and spirits
The journey toward death can be a profound experience full of meaning and gifts that bring a sense of completeness to life.