Palliative Care Support

Palliative Care is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a terminal illness that may be at an advanced stage. The goal of palliative care is to provide comfort and dignity for the person living with advanced illness, as well as the best quality of life for both this person and his or her family. Our Palliative Care volunteers enhance the quality of life for patients and their families and work as members of a multi-disciplinary team. They contribute actively to the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual welfare of our patients and families. If you are interested in a role where you can contribute in a meaningful way for someone who is in the end-of-life stage, then this may be for you. Some of the responsibilities include:

  • Listening to or conversing with patient or family; sometimes just being with the patient in silence
  • Reading to the patient, write letters, singing for or with the patient, listen to music etc.
  • Assisting staff with special requests i.e. organizing special events, such as a birthday or anniversary
  • Relieving caregivers when practical and possible
  • Providing on-going support to the family
  • Reporting to staff information that might contribute to the quality of patient/family care and/or life