Palliative Care

Saint Elizabeth Health Care has an exemplary history with extensive experience in providing palliative care within the communities we serve. Our expertise extends beyond clinical management to include a focus on the psychosocial and spiritual issues that clients and their families experience. Hospice palliative care may complement and enhance disease-modifying therapy or it may become the total focus of care.

The ability to nurture a supportive environment that is respectful of the client's wishes illustrates our commitment to a quality of service in which care and support span the continuum from diagnosis of illness, throughout the illness progression, to end-of-life care for the patient and consideration of bereavement care for the family.

An interdisciplinary approach is central to the delivery of quality palliative care. Key members of the care team are, of course, the client, and may also include nurses, supportive care workers, other health care providers, friends and spiritual advisors as directed by the client. Individualized care plans reflect and respect the cultural values and beliefs of clients and families.

The key components of the palliative care philosophy of Saint Elizabeth Health Care include the following:

Pain and Symptom Management
Palliative and end-of-life services we offer are provided by trained professionals within the disciplines of nursing, supportive care and chaplaincy. The focus of care is client/family-centered and services include advanced pain and symptom assessment and management for clients diagnosed with and/or receiving treatment for a life-threatening illness. We have nurses trained in advanced management of pain and symptoms related to life-threatening illnesses and their respective treatments. This is offered in the comfort of the client’s home for optimal benefit and ease during difficult times.

Psychosocial Support
Clients and their families who require end-of-life care may experience emotional, spiritual and/or psychological pain. Expected fears, uncertainty for the future, financial concerns, supports for children, doubts and feelings of loss are complex issues, which benefit from psychosocial support. Saint Elizabeth Health Care palliative care professionals are trained to recognize, assess and resource assistance for these issues. They work within an interdisciplinary team approach that affords timely access to supports and services that manage and assist clients and families through these issues in a sensitive manner.

Grief and Bereavement Support
Staff provide and/or resource grief and bereavement support to the client and family before, during and after the client’s death. Our role is to listen, guide and support the client and family and to foster hope, even as we encourage the expression of sorrow and concerns.

Our palliative care professionals can provide bereavement follow-up, during which information is provided about the normal grieving process enabling the family to recognize and discuss and express their own feelings and sense of loss. This is offered within the safe and comforting environment of their own home. If appropriate, bereavement support groups may be suggested and the family informed about additional resources for further follow up.