Honoring Wishes to Remain at Home in Final Days
Surveys consistently show that more than 80% of Canadians express a desire to spend their final days in the comfort and familiarity of their own home rather than in a hospital ward. In Ontario, achieving a peaceful, dignified end-of-life journey is entirely possible with coordinated community care.
Coordinating the Palliative Care Team
Palliative home care brings together multidisciplinary professionals:
- Palliative Care Physician or Nurse Practitioner: Manages complex symptoms, pain medications, and oxygen therapy.
- Visiting Palliative Nurses: Administer subcutaneous injections, monitor syringe drivers, and assess skin integrity.
- Private Personal Support Workers: Deliver continuous personal hygiene, gentle mouth care, repositioning every 2 hours to prevent pressure ulcers, and emotional comfort to family members.
Advance Care Planning & DNRs in Ontario
Ensure that a valid Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Confirmation Form signed by a physician is visibly kept on the client's refrigerator so emergency first responders honor palliative wishes.
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