News

Comfort and Connection in Hospice Care

Date: 2026-05-08

During National Hospice Palliative Care Week, we honour the impact of compassionate, person-centred care and recognize those who support families through life's most difficult moments. Shared with permission, the story below provides a firsthand account of care provided by our Hospice Care team at St. Joseph's Hospital.

When Anna's health began to decline, her family found themselves carrying more and more. Coordinating her care, watching for changes, and managing uncertainty began to overshadow the time they had together, with each visit preceded by a nagging thought: "What are we walking into this time?"

That changed when Anna entered hospice care at St. Joseph's Care Group.

They found a place that quickly felt like a second home and a team who took the time to truly know Anna: a generous, funny, and independent woman with a deep love for her family and an appreciation for a day out in the region. The team understood what she needed and ensured that care was tailored not just to her medical needs, but to who she was as a person.

With a dedicated team supporting her needs, her family no longer had to focus on providing care themselves - they could focus on simply being present.

It meant visits could be visits again. Instead of constant caregiving, her family spent meaningful time together - watching her favourite shows, sharing stories, and enjoying outings when she felt up to it.

For her son Kevin, that shift made all the difference: "When we came here, we had time to spend with our loved one...We could focus on my mom and not focus on providing the care."

Stories like Anna and Kevin's are a reminder that palliative care is about more than managing symptoms. It protects dignity, reduces caregiver burden, and creates space for connection when it matters most. Person-centred palliative care - clear communication, responsive support, and care that considers both client and family - made it possible for Anna's family to truly enjoy the time they had together.

Reflecting on the experience, he offers this advice to others facing a similar situation: "Make sure that you take every opportunity you have to appreciate your loved ones and spend time, quality time, with them, and let the professionals do their job to make everything else work. When we came here, we had time to spend with our loved one."

To learn more about Hospice & Palliative Care at St. Joseph's Care Group, please visit: Hospice/Palliative Care