The following questions and answers are being offered in an attempt to help you understand the Hospice Association of Ontario:

• What is hospice;
• What does hospice mean;
• What is hospice palliative care;
• Where is my local hospice; and
• What does hospice care cost.

WHAT IS HOSPICE?

Ontario's hospices are community-based volunteer organizations dedicated to helping people who are living with a life-threatening or terminal illness. Their mission is to help these people live at home – wherever that may be – or in a home-like setting as comfortably and fully as possible. They provide support to families and friends, with a range of services focused on quality of life until the end of life as well as bereavement support for loved ones. Services can include respite care and caregiver relief, complementary therapies, liaison with other community supports, transportation and friendly visiting by trained volunteers. Some communities also have residential hospices.

WHAT DOES HOSPICE MEAN?

In medieval times, a hospice was a place of shelter or sanctuary for travelers, pilgrims and others. No journey in life is more difficult than the path followed by those suffering a life-threatening illness, so 'hospice' has now become a philosophy of care built around the quality of life for the dying and those that care for them.

WHAT IS HOSPICE PALLIATIVE CARE?

Hospice palliative care is active, compassionate care directed towards improving the quality of life of those with a life-threatening illness.

Hospice palliative care supports people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and their families, while living with the illness during the time of dying and death and for a bereavement period.

Hospice palliative care:

• centres on the person and the family;
• is directed towards meeting physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs;
• is sensitive to personal, cultural and religious beliefs, values and practices;
• encourages involvement in planning treatment and care as well as making choices based on knowledge and understanding; and
• is provided through the collaborative work of an interdisciplinary team of caregivers and service providers.

WHERE IS MY LOCAL HOSPICE?

In Ontario today, there are 98 independent hospices whose 13,300 trained volunteers offer support in more than 450 communities across the province. Find Hospice Programs & Services in your area or contact the Hospice Association of Ontario directly.

Also, see a list of the communities served by Members of the Hospice Association of Ontario.

WHAT DOES HOSPICE CARE COST?

There is no fee for Hospice service.