A Framework for Palliative Care

Tell your story

• Hospice Care done well at home

  by RitaB, almost 6 years ago

  Years ago my mom passed away from pancreatic cancer.  She was diagnosed just before mother’s day And passed away June 8 th. Her diagnosis came as a shock to our family.  My mom was my dad ‘S caregiver for the past year following his by pass surgery and Parkinson’s surgery.  There was nothing that could be done for mom, so she asked that she be able to stay at home to die.  Her family doctor called the Palliative Care team in Windsor area who came within a few days to the house.

  The first visit included the palliative care tea... Continue reading

• He ain't heavy...he's my brother

  by Patricia, almost 6 years ago

  When my brother had his 3rd cancer operation in November of 2017 his family remained hopeful that the wonderful team of specialists and nurses would finally be able to remove the ever growing sarcoma from his groin. The surgeons did their very best; he lost a kidney, a testicle, had bowel removed and a colostomy bag placed. The sarcoma had wrapped around one artery and they gave us the news that despite their heroic efforts... they did not get it all.  He had many transfusions, swelling, and was very ill.  After 3 weeks in hospital he left the hospital on... Continue reading

• Poor Nursing Care from Palliative Care Team Langley BC

  by nickers, almost 6 years ago

   Palliative Care experience in Langley BC

  A brief history of my mother.  Over eighteen months ago my mother was hospitalized at Langley Memorial Hospital.  At that time she was seen by the Palliative Care Team who suggested that she be admitted to the Palliative Care Unit.  Upon consultation with the staff at Cornerstone Resources our family decided to provide her with full time nursing care aides (24/7) and have her return to the her retirement home in Langley.  My mother’s expressed wishes were and is to die at home.  She suffers from dementia and has lung cancer.

  ... Continue reading

• Amazing

  by Minden19, almost 6 years ago

  My father spent 6 weeks in hospital this past fall, before passing.  The last 3 days of that were in Palliative Care.  I cannot tell you the peace our family felt from seeing our beloved family member once he was moved to Palliative Care.  He was shaved, he was dressed in a lovely homemade hospital gown that had a matching pillow case (very masculine I might add!!), and he was calm.  It was almost like he knew he was in a caring place.  The staff and volunteers are specially trained, and I might add are incredibly compassionate, patient and just... Continue reading

• Dignity

  by briant, almost 6 years ago

  Just left a loved one who passed away in hospital.  Was with him just before his passing away.

  He had not been shaved for a couple of days and during the last 9 hours prior to death, his bed was never made up and only once did the nursing staff come in to fix his pillows.  He was congested but there was no container for him to spit in - I found a cardboard container that I used for this.

  After the fact - maybe he should have had soft music playing in the room as he was very agitated... Continue reading

• The critical role of palliative care homes

  by lekkerdog, almost 6 years ago

  My mother was diagnosed with cancer in December. She died in April. In those four short months, the family had to come to terms with the shock of the diagnosis, watch our mother fade and suffer, and grieve and support her in her. The first three months were spent in hospital, trying various treatments, but when nothing worked, she got a spot at a palliative care home in Sudbury, Ontario.

  It was an enormous relief to be there. They were supportive to her and the whole family. They were kind, compassionate and frank. They kept my mother as comfortable as... Continue reading

• Our Journey with Kai

  by jeangbrit, almost 6 years ago

  I am a grandmother who, along with my husband, adopted one of our grandchildren because our daughter was unable to care for him.  Kai, passed away due to a life long battle with complications arising due to his extreme dystonic/spastic cerebral palsy.  Kai was asphyxiated during a delivery that went sideways, as a result he was airlifted from our town hospital to BC Children's Hospital on life support.  After 3 weeks he was sent back to our local hospital for palliative care.  However, we as a family determined that he would live life at home as "normally" as possible. Kai... Continue reading

• Need for more supportEach visit, the doctor would tell me people should

  by Ocarm, almost 6 years ago

  i am a health care professional working in the community.  About two years ago,  I took my mom into my home, as she was dying.   We had equipment, but only one hour of psw service.  I had to fight for nursing. When we needed something, I had to call an ambulance and take her to the ER, as the nurses weren’t able to make emergency visits. Each visit, the doctor would tell me my mom shouldn’t die at home, she should die 8n the hospital, disrespecting her wishes. I had to fight for her right to die at home.  She... Continue reading

• Appropriate palliative services is always a fight.

  by 10000, almost 6 years ago

  I am a nurse in one of our Heart Function Clinics in the lower mainland of BC. I've lost count of how many terrible stories of disrespectful, undignified deaths have occurred. I would like to point out that this is not a blaming story. We have many gaps in how our clients receive palliative care and it is the result of a complex mutli faceted problem in which I firmly believe the solution is NOT to increase referrals to Palliative Programs.

  Here is a story that I submitted to make a case to the health authority for a quality improvement... Continue reading

• Best Care at the Worst Time

  by MaryAnne, almost 6 years ago

  I am a retired Reg. Nurse who worked for 7 years at Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton. There are 10 beds in very large rooms that are beautifully decorated. The place feels welcoming and homey. Family and friends can come any time and they can sleep over if they wish. There is a open kitchen which volunteers help out and make soup and treats free for anyone to have. The grounds are inviting and a large pond to sit by. We often rolled out the patient's bed to be outside. 

  Families have often told us at first they were... Continue reading