St. John Hospice patient, family & visitor guide

Palliative care is not only for the final days or months of your life. It’s care that should begin when you are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. You and your family will have support as you manage the often-complicated end-of-life journey.

An integrated palliative approach to care is one that focuses on your need at any given time. It can be provided in a hospital, residential hospice, at home, in long-term care homes or in another community setting. Personal values, wishes and desires can be considered. Advance Care Planning, a discussion about your plans at the end of life, is an important part of an integrated approach to care.

Hospice palliative care professionals work with the health team you already have. They focus on easing the burdens of suffering, loneliness and grief for those living with chronic and life-limiting illnesses.

We support families as they navigate the difficulties that can arise when a loved one is struggling with a life-limiting illness. Families can gain a better understanding of a loved one’s wishes. This can ease the end-of-life journey when there are difficult decisions to make.

Hospice palliative care manages pain and symptoms. Important conversations and planning are encouraged so you can make informed decisions about your own care. It also ensures that families understand your goals, and that you have a better quality of life. In a hospice setting, the emphasis is on comfort at the end-of-life. Diagnostic testing and curative therapies are not the focus.

• BC Care Card and other identification
• Information about your alternative health care decision-maker
• Any advance care directives and your end of life wishes/funeral plans
• Contact numbers for important people

• Pajamas or nightgown
• Bathrobe & Slippers
• Books & magazines
• Digital devices including your cell phone and charger
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, body/hand lotion, tissues etc.
• Personal clothing
• Your medications
• Adaptive devices that you need, such as dentures, hearing aids or a walker

To maintain fire safety, we will check any electrical items that you bring to the hospice such as radios, computers, clocks and shavers. This is to ensure they are CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved.