❦ WHO CAN I TALK TO ABOUT CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FAMILY ABOUT HOSPICE PALLIATIVE CARE? Your doctor may refer you to the Alberta Health Services, Rural Palliative Care Consultation Team. A nurse practitioner, or specialized palliative care doctor will meet with you and your family wherever you are receiving care: your home, hospital, or assisted living facility. They can help you navigate through difficult conversations.
For some additional advice on how to talk to your health care provider, go to this link: www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/Communication/ Tips+for+Talking+with+Your+Health+Care+Providers.aspx
Online Option: You can also connect with an online Palliative professional through the Canadian Virtual Hospice. This team is made up of doctors, clinical nurse specialists, a social worker, a pharmacist and a spiritual care advisor who specialize in the care of individuals and families living with terminal illness, or loss. To “Ask a Professional” on the Canadian Virtual Hospice site, go to this link: www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Support/Support/Ask+a+Professional.aspx ❦ WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP ME AND MY FAMILY TO COPE? Many families who have cared for a family member have told us it can be overwhelming and exhausting, and, at the same time, satisfying and life-enriching. To learn more about coping strategies, read the topics related to emotional health in the following link: www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/Emotional+Health.aspx
❦ WHAT OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE? Please go to Community Services and Support , page 47, for a list of available programs and services.
❦ WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT MY SPOUSE AND ADULT CHILDREN, WHO ARE MY PRIMARY CAREGIVERS? Becoming a primary caregiver may not be naturally comfortable, or realistic, for you, or other family members. If you are unsure about whether, or not, you want to provide personal care in your home, we encourage you to discuss this with your Home Care nurse, or family doctor. If you are interested in becoming, or continuing to be, a caregiver, we suggest you, again, visit the Canadian Virtual Hospice web site, under “Providing Care”. Topics include: • Understanding death and dying • Sleep and caregivers • Caring for grieving children and youth • Caring for yourself • Providing Care • Help with medication, eating, bathing, toileting • Care of the mouth • Caring for face and hair • Preventing pressure sores Please refer to this link: www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics/Providing+Care.aspx
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