Palliative and End of Life Care
Vision
Western Health believes in and supports an integrated approach to palliative care. An approach that focuses on a person’s and familiy’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs at all stages of a chronic illness or frailty. Palliative care strives in promoting comfort rather than attempting to cure. It can be provided at a setting of one’s choice – home, hospital, personal care home, or long term care.
Palliative care is not only for the end stage or last days of an illness. People can benefit from a palliative care approach at the diagnosis of a life limiting or life threatening illness.
Goals
Advance care planning and goals of care discussion. Palliative care promotes ongoing communication and reflection on one’s current wishes and wishes for the future, especially if a time comes whereby a person is unable to speak for themselves.
Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life and eliminate suffering for people diagnosed with a life limiting or life threatening illness. It allows for the early identification, ongoing assessment, and treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms as well as the provision of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual support.
Our Team
The palliative care team includes physicians, a clinical nurse specialist, registered nurses, licenced practical nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, registered dieticians, physiotherapists, and spiritual care leaders as well as others if needed. Team members will work with an individual and their family in a setting of their choice.
Care at Home
In the Western Region, palliative and end of life care services are also available for people who wish to stay at home. Professional support is available for any person diagnosed with a terminal illness by referral to the Community Support Program. Enhanced services are provided for those who are within the last eight weeks of life by the End of Life Program.
Community Support Referral Intake Directory (PDF)
Services available in the last weeks of life:
- Home nursing visits.
- Home support.
- Medical equipment and supplies.
- Counseling from social work.
- Medication for symptom management.
- Spiritual health support
Palliative Care in Hospital
A person may be cared for in hospital if they choose a palliative approach or if their care needs are no longer able to be met at home. Palliative care beds are located throughout the Western Region to support people being close to family and loved ones. Western Health supports a seamless transition through each care setting if or when that time is needed.
While in hospital, care is aimed at ensuring comfort and providing a gentle approach. Open communication and holistic care are important components to ensure a person’s values and preferences are respected. Treatments can be provided to alleviate symptoms without the goal of curing the underlying illness.
For more Information or support, please contact the following:
Regional Home Nursing Coordinator
Hammond Building
169 West Valley Road, Corner Brook, NL, A2H 7V7
(709) 637-2244
palliativecareprogram@westernhealth.nl.ca
Regional Clinical Nurse Specialist
Western Long Term Care Home
110 Healthcare Crescent, Corner Brook, NL A2H 7R8
(709) 784-2700 ext. 2663
michelleking@westernhealth.nl.ca
Palliative Care Office
Western Long Term Care Home
110 Healthcare Crescent, Corner Brook, NL A2H 7R8
(709) 784–2700 ext. 2804
Palliative Care Support Line
1-833-873-8608
(709) 784-6415
Palliative and End of Life Care Links
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association