Facing a serious illness is hard for both the person living with it and the family by their side. Palliative care means choosing comfort and support at home, during life’s most delicate moments. Here’s how it works, who might need it, and what to expect for you and your loved one.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care (also referred to as hospice care) is not about curing an illness. It’s about easing pain, reducing stress, and improving someone’s quality of life, especially for those living with life‑limiting conditions. This type of care focuses on comfort physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, for both the patient and their family
Who Needs Palliative Care and When Should You Get It?
Palliative care is designed for anyone living with a serious illness that may not get better or heal. That includes conditions like cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s, COPD, or heart failure. You don’t need to wait until you’re very sick or bedridden. In fact, starting palliative care earlier on, even when symptoms are milder, can help you and your family enjoy more quality time and feel more prepared .
What Services are Offered at Home in Ottawa?
- Pain & symptom management
A nurse will assess pain levels and symptoms, such as trouble breathing, nausea, fever, or weakness.
- Emotional & family support
This time can bring fear, sadness, anger, and everyone can react or manage grief differently. Choice Homecare’s team listens without judgment and supports both patients and family members. We’re here to help process emotions and share time together
- Nursing & personal care
Your care begins with a free home assessment by a Choice Homecare nurse. Our team creates a personalized at-home plan covering personal support with bathing, dressing, feeding, and medical care. Shifts can be arranged day or night, even 24/7 if needed.
Why choose palliative care at home?
Comfort of home: For many seniors in Ottawa, staying at home is preferred. For them, it’s a familiar space, with personal belongings, memories, pets, and personal routines. Staying in the comfort of their home can bring peace.
Quality time: With daily care arranged by Choice Homecare, families can spend meaningful moments together.
Flexible care: Plans can adapt quickly; if needs increase, the team adjusts for extra nursing, night shifts, or new equipment. That’s one of the perks of having an at-home care team, personalized to your preferences and needs.
What role do family caregivers play?
Family caregivers are at the heart of home palliative care. The team encourages open conversations, helps caregivers balance their own emotions, and reminds them it’s okay to take breaks. CHWs also guide caregivers in handling tasks, asking the right kinds of questions, and understanding individual preferences or what is considered normal. And if the emotional weight gets heavy, grief support is available during and after the patient’s passing.
The Beauty of Palliative Care At-Home
Here’s a recap of why families choose to have palliative care in the comfort of their own home:
- Call for help, 24/7 phone access to nurses or care coordinators.
- Home assessment: A nurse visits (for free), learns about your needs, and creates a care plan
Care begins: You decide when to start. A team arrives with warmth, skill, and compassion
- Ongoing support: Regular nurse visits, 24/7 availability, pain control, and adaptation as needed
- Family guidance: Emotional support before, during, and after, including bereavement help
Choosing palliative care at home in Ottawa means more than comfort; it means being together, supported, and understood during life’s difficult and final phases. It gives families the freedom to focus on moments that matter, while professionals care for the medical and emotional needs.
Our Choice Homecare nurses, PSWs, coordinators and counselors are a dedicated team that stands with you so you can focus on caring, sharing, and remembering.
Need more info?
Call Choice Homecare at (613) 907-3191 or book a free home assessment. A caring coordinator will listen, answer your questions, and plan tailored care for you and your loved one.