Long Term Care Services: Palliative Care, Long Term Care Beds

Palliative care is aimed at providing compassionate and holistic care (physical, spiritual, social and emotional support) to terminally ill individuals, their families and significant others when the focus is on comfort rather than on cure, or prolongation of life.

In addition to community based services and the Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit, the Region maintains palliative care beds in a special care home setting. Admission into special care home palliative care is coordinated through admissions and is based on an individual being in the final stage of illness. These services are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The average length of stay is from one to three months.

In the special care home setting, an interdisciplinary palliative care team consists of the individual, their family and significant other(s), facility staff (nurses and special care aides), the Director of Care, the family physician, facility Chaplain, Home Care Palliative Care team members.

Palliative care services provided in the special care facility include:

• assessment,
• holistic care planning,
• nursing and personal care,
• spiritual care,
• client and caregiver teaching and support,
• volunteer support,
• recreation and socialization opportunities,
• nutrition, laundry and housekeeping services,
• medical services in collaboration with the family physician
• access to additional services and support through the Palliative Care Coordinator.

Fees for special care home palliative care services are based on provincial guidelines, with no charges for two months of stay in the palliative unit located in long term care. Some additional costs may include clothing, personal grooming items, mobility equipment, dental and prosthetic devices, and sensory devices (glasses, hearing aids, etc.).

Information on this service is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. For more information contact SWADD in Regina at (306) 766-7200, or outside Regina at 1-800-667-1242.