Frequently Asked Questions
You May Have About Giving and Supporting Huron Hospice.
How does being in care at a hospice differ from care at a hospital?
It is important to recognize that excellent palliative care is provided in many different
locations – in hospitals, in a family’s own home, in a retirement residence, in long-term care
facilities and/or in hospices. The decision on location for this care is based on many factors,
some of which include the goals of care and wishes the person has, what the person and family
feel comfortable with, and what supports are available. Decisions can be revisited at any point.
Do I need to pay for anything if I come to hospice?
The person and/or family need to pay for the cost of transport to the hospice. Once at the
hospice, everything is covered. This includes meals, supplies and nursing care. Medications are
provided by a local pharmacy and are covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit program (ODBP).
If a medication suggested is not covered, our team will have that conversation with the resident
and/or family before starting the medication.
What does treatment look like at Huron Hospice?
At hospice, excellent hospice palliative care is provided by our registered nursing team
(registered nurses and registered practical nurses), our hospice physician group, our other
clinical and non-clinical staff (grief support counsellor, volunteer coordinator, music therapist
and our dedicated volunteers). Together, we ensure that our residents and their families can
live life fully and with meaning, even as they approach the end of life. Symptoms are based on
what the resident says they are. There is no need for investigations and tests; we take our
direction from the resident and provide all interventions to ensure that their comfort is
achieved.
What does the hospice look like?
Huron Hospice was originally a family home, and that feel has been maintained, even with
the recent addition. Each resident room is private, with its own bathroom. Each room has a
pull-out couch. Five of the rooms have patio doors that open out to a private patio. Beds can
move onto the patio as desired. The resident rooms are close to the nursing desk, and there is a
call system in each room when help is needed. There is a quiet room, an open living room, large
kitchen with tasty treats for all, a welcoming dining room and breakfast nook. Families are
encouraged to make these spaces their own. The 12-acre rural property provides quiet time to
watch birds and local wildlife or go for a walk on the trails.
How do you get into a hospice?
All requests for hospice admissions go through Ontario Health at Home. Anyone can make
that referral by calling 310-2222 (no area code is needed). From there, a nurse from the local
Ontario Health at Home office will visit and complete an assessment and the paperwork for
hospice admission, if appropriate. The waitlists for hospices are reviewed daily and admissions
are coordinated between the staff and families.
Can a MAID death occur at Huron Hospice?
Yes, it can. The care team supports evolving resident goals of care, and this may include
Medical Assistance in Dying. Residents at Huron Hospice have access to comprehensive end-of-
life comfort and support options on their journey. By providing access to MAID, Huron Hospice
respects residents' autonomy and their right to make decisions about their own death within
the context of MAID legislation. If a resident makes this request, The Huron Hospice care team
makes a referral to the MAID team for Huron Perth who respond quickly to complete the first
and second assessments and, if the resident qualifies, takes direction from the resident if a date
is requested for MAID at Huron Hospice.
Please contact the Executive Director, Willy Van Klooster, if you would like a copy of our MAID
policy or if you have questions. He can be reached at 519-525-6856 or