A Beautiful Beginning. A Beautiful End. By Hospice Muskoka

It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. There is great joy, but it’s also hard work, and difficult at times, but with the right support, care, passion and guidance, the road is much smoother.

The same can be said when we come face-to-face with a life-threatening diagnosis or when it’s time to say goodbye to our loved ones. With good planning, compassionate support and guidance, the heartache that accompanies these situations can become a more positive, comforting experience for all.

That’s where Hospice Muskoka comes in.

We provide a person-centred palliative care approach to helping residents and families of South & West Muskoka deal with life limiting illnesses or end-of-life issues. Our services are available, free of charge, to those who live in, or have family who live in, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes, and Georgian Bay Townships as well as Wahta First Nation, and Moose Deer Point First Nation.

What do we mean by palliative care?

When finding a cure is no longer the focus or end-of-life is imminent, the focus of care shifts to delivering compassionate, holistic care. The kind of care that best serves the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual and their families. In a hospice setting, the goals of care are defined by you. This means you decide what you need to have a supportive and dignified death including appropriate pain and symptom management. Working together, your hospice team helps to establish clear goals of care, address the fears and losses that often accompany advanced illness and death. We walk the path with you.

At Hospice Muskoka we believe palliative care support is essential and should be introduced soon after someone receives a diagnosis of a life limiting illness.

Our primary care team is made up of leaders in palliative care, including our Executive Director, Director of Care, Medical Director, RNs, PSWs, Social Worker, and Clergy together with our trained volunteers. All are here to help you:

Prepare for end-of-life and the dying process by addressing physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical issues and associated expectations, needs, hopes and fears
Understand end-of-life decisions including Advanced Care Planning, palliative care, MAID
Have palliative support wherever and whenever needed – at home, in hospital, in seniors’ residences, (and area) nursing homes and at Andy’s House our hospice in Port Carling
Receive in-home respite care, caregiving support & friendly visits
Receive compassionate care with appropriate pain and symptom management
Create opportunities for meaningful and valuable experiences together
Prepare for and receive bereavement support and counselling

Andy’s House, our hospice centre, is a family-centred, 24-hour care medical facility focussed on providing leading palliative care. Each private room has individual access to a balcony overlooking the Indian River in Port Carling. The rooms are designed for private and peaceful interactions with private washrooms, state-of-the-art smart beds, call bell system, fold out bed/chair, TV, wifi, and mini refrigerator. Residents and families have access to a large outdoor deck, living room, library, private dining room, children’s playroom and kitchen.

Referrals to Andy’s House are currently made through a Home and Community Care Case Manager. A Doctor or Nurse Practitioner can facilitate a referral to a Case Coordinator on your behalf or you can call Home and Community Care (HCC) directly to request a referral to hospice. Our local HCC phone number is 705-721-8010 – ask for a Case Coordinator. They will help determine the most suitable location, access your eligibility and begin the process.

Hospice Muskoka is an active member of Hospice Palliative Care Ontario, North Simcoe Muskoka Palliative Care Network, Bereavement Ontario Network

Need more information?

Call us at 705 646 1697, email info@hospicemuskoka.com or visit www.hospice muskoka.com. Mailing address – P.O. Box 156, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T6

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