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Palliative Care Resources

Learn more about palliative care and about support that is available to you.
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Knowing what to expect in the last days and hours of life can help you be better prepared. 

We developed a guide to help caregivers care for both themselves and their loved one during their last days and hours together at home.

This guide:

  • Explains the physical changes your loved one may experience in their last days and hours of life
  • Provides practical tips on how to make your loved one more comfortable
  • Suggests ways you can look after yourself during this challenging time
  • Outlines what to do when your loved one dies

We have created two versions.  

The first is written for when someone is dying at home. This is available in a number of different languages.

Download PDF

The second version is written for caregivers looking after individuals in the final stages of a terminal illness within a hospital. This is currently available in English only.  

Guide for Caregivers: Hospital (PDF)

Canadian Virtual Hospice

The Canadian Virtual Hospice provides support and personalized information about palliative and end-of-life care to patients, caregivers, health-care providers, researchers and educators.

Through this comprehensive online resource, you can access information on a range of topics, including:

  • Emotional and spiritual health
  • Identifying and managing symptoms
  • Assistance with providing care to your loved one
  • Tips for visiting
  • Practical advice on how to make difficult decisions
  • Suggestions on how to get financial assistance, if needed

The support section of the website provides you with the opportunity to:

  • Ask a health-care provider any questions you may have
  • Review the questions that people have asked before, along with the answers
  • Chat with other people who are in a similar situation through discussion boards
  • Read the stories of others who have experienced the death of someone they cared for
  • Watch videos and listen to podcasts about palliative care and the experiences of others

You may also want to refer the members of your health-care team to the section of the website set up for professionals. 

Caregiver support education  

From Hospice Palliative Care Ontario, a series of self-learning modules covering 20 caregiving topics.