Palliative Care Resources

The Palliative Care Team is made up of specialized physicians and nurses who work very closely with your larger care team, including oncologists, social workers, palliative radiation therapists, dietitians, Ontario Health at Home, and other community service providers. Our palliative care team works to understand your concerns, needs, and wishes and creates an environment in which you feel comfortable asking questions and actively participating in your own care.

Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients who are diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses. This medical approach looks at each individual as a whole - physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.

Patients must be active patients of the Cancer Program, and meet all three criteria to be seen:

• The life expectancy of less than 1 year.
• Malignant pain (if the pain is an issue).
• The patient must be aware of the referral.

How to Get Referred: Talk to your oncologist. Referrals are made through Electronic Medical Records. For more information visit the WRH Cancer Program HERE.

Home is often the most comforting and supportive place to be when you, a family member or friend is facing a life-limiting or life-threatening illness. Our team of professionals form an integral part of your circle of care. We work closely with your existing supports and professional services to assist in providing palliative care.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Have a life-limiting illness
• Have a present or potential need for complex symptom management and be someone who would benefit from palliative care services.

How to Get Referred: Self-referral or referral through a family member or physician. Must receive a clinical assessment by an Ontario Health atHome coordinator before determining acceptance.

For more information visit Ontario Health atHome Palliative Care HERE.

Patients with life-limiting illnesses apart from cancer face a symptom burden that is similar. Non-cancer patients are also more likely to be older in age; have multiple comorbidities; increased frailty and a lower baseline functional status. Early palliative care involvement in patients with non-malignant illnesses can reduce symptom burden; increase quality of life; assist in advanced care planning and provide support for transitions in care.

Eligibility criteria:

• Prognosis of approximately 1 year or less
• Able to attend an outpatient clinic
• Diagnosed with an advanced life-limiting non-malignant condition for which medical care has been optimized

How to Get Referred: Talk to your provider, referrals can be made by an in-patient provider (through Electronic Medical Records) or through a family MD; specialist physician, or Nurse Practitioner (faxed-paper referral)

For more information visit HDGH Non-Malignant Palliative Care Clinic HERE.

Hospice provides specialized palliative care services to adults, children, and their caregivers. This care can be provided in their homes or in our Hospice Residences. The hospice is partially funded through the government and through the continued generosity of our community.

The Community Palliative Medicine program is a clinical team of physicians; nurse educators; social workers and spiritual care providers who provide in-home visits to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones.

• Home and virtual (telephone, video) visits
• Triage telephone support (9-5 pm)
• 24/7 after-hours/on-call telephone support for urgent needs
• Offer guidance and education in:
• Pain and symptom management
• Education/support for diagnosis
• Goals of care and advance care planning
• Family/caregiver support
• End-of-life care
• System navigation and access to resources

Eligibility criteria:

• Malignant pain and symptom management and end-of-life care – life expectancy of less than 6 months
• Non-malignant end-of-life care – life expectancy of less than 3 months
• Palliative consult only (referring physician/NP to remain MRP for palliative care needs)

How to Get Referred: Talk to your provider. Referral through in-hospital provider through Electronic Medical Records; or through a family MD or Nurse Practitioner (paper referral via fax or OCEANS referral)

For more information visit The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County – Community Palliative Medicine Program (PMP) HERE.

The Hospice operates 2 Residences, one in Windsor and one in Leamington (Erie Shores). There are 12 suites in Windsor and 11 suites in Leamington. Care in the homes is provided by specially trained medical care staff and volunteers and is provided at no cost. Each private patient suite has a washroom, pull-out bed (for caregivers), fridge, and fireplace.

The public kitchen areas are managed by volunteers, who provide daily homemade meals to the residents. The residences are an inviting and home-like space where families/caregivers can visit freely without the worry of providing day-to-day care.

Eligibility criteria:

• Life expectancy of 3 months or less; Comfort-based care goals; No longer wanting any disease-modifying treatments.

How to Get Referred: Talk to your provider; Ontario Health atHome coordinator or contact Hospice directly at 519-974-7100 or learn more online HERE.

For more information visit The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County HERE.

The T2B Palliative care unit, The Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Wing, is located on Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s 3rd floor of the Dr. Y. Emara Centre for Healthy Aging and Mobility (Emara building). This unit includes both private and semi-private rooms. The unit also includes a family kitchen and family lounge area. The environment is designed to help patients and families feel and stay as comfortable as possible.

Eligibility criteria:

• Life expectancy of 3 months or less; Comfort-based care goals; No longer wanting any disease-modifying treatments; or patients who require advanced pain and symptom management to return home.

How to Get Referred: Talk to your provider; or Ontario Health at Home Coordinator

For more information visit HDGH – Palliative Care Unit HERE.

Journey Home Hospice, a program of the Saint Elizabeth Foundation, provides 24/7 residential care for patients in Windsor-Essex experiencing homelessness or structural vulnerabilities.

Eligibility criteria:

• Life expectancy of 6 months or less; Comfort-based care goals.

How to Get Referred: Accepts self-referrals and direct referrals from shelters, social services, clinicians, and hospitals. To make a referral, please contact:

Felicia Kontopidis, RN, MA

Director of Care
Phone: 905-940-9655 Ext. 141757
Fax: 416-619-5167
Email: FeliciaKontopidis@sehc.com

For more information visit Journey Home Hospice HERE.

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Lung disease
• Dementia
• Diseases affecting the brain and nervous system (like ALS)
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic kidney disease

People living with these illnesses often have symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, nausea, and trouble sleeping. Palliative care can help manage these symptoms. It also supports emotional and spiritual needs, helping individuals and families cope with the challenges of the illness.

Palliative care providers are specially trained to have open and supportive conversations about the illness, care options, and future plans. They can help people understand their condition and make decisions that reflect their wishes and values.