What is Hospice? 

Many people believe that hospice is only about dying; but dying isn’t our focus, nor is curing a disease. Hospice care is about making a patient’s remaining time as peaceful and pain-free as possible. It’s about maximizing the quality of life. This kind of care addresses not just physical symptoms but also emotional, spiritual, and social needs so that both the patient and their family are supported. 

When facing life-limiting illnesses — our own, or a loved one’s — we’ve found what matters most is compassion, comfort, and dignity. At Hospice Mississauga, we hope the people we support feel they can leave caregiving to us, so that they can be free to just be a spouse, friend, or family member. Our compassionate team creates a nurturing environment where people and families can find peace and support through every stage of their journey. We do that in people’s homes as a community hospice, and soon we’ll open the doors to Mississauga’s first hospice centre to provide another level in the continuum of care for this community.  

Hospice Centre vs. Community Hospice: What’s the Difference? 

Once you’ve decided that hospice is right for your situation, it’s important to understand the two main types available: hospice centres and community hospice. 

Hospice Centre 

Soon, Mississaugauans will have a 12-bed hospice centre available to them. A hospice centre is a special place where patients can stay and receive 24-hour care from a team of professionals, including healthcare workers, social workers, and spiritual advisors. These centres are designed to provide a calm and comforting environment — a homelike setting when it no longer feels possible to stay at home. Here’s what you can expect: 

• Inpatient Care: If a patient has severe symptoms or needs frequent care, they can receive it at a hospice centre. 

• Respite Care: Caregivers need breaks too. Hospice centres offer temporary care so family members can rest and recharge. 

• Around-the-Clock Support: There’s always someone available to provide medical and emotional support, ensuring that patients are comfortable at all times.  

Community Hospice, with Hospice Mississauga 

Community hospice brings care to a patient’s home. This option allows patients to stay in familiar surroundings while receiving hospice services, together with additional community partners, such as homecare. Key benefits include: 

• Home-Based Care: Professional caregivers come to the home to provide medical care, pain management, and emotional support. 

• Family Involvement: Family members can be more involved in the patient’s care and spend quality time together. 

• Flexibility: Care plans are personalized and can be adjusted as the patient’s condition changes, offering a customized approach to end-of-life care. 

Making the Right Choice For You 

In the next couple of years, Mississauguans will have the choice between hospice centre, and community hospice. As they weigh this decision, they need to consider a few factors, including medical needs, personal preferences, and what support there is through friends and family to provide care at home.  

Understanding the differences between hospice centres and community hospice can help families make informed decisions that best meet their needs, ensuring their loved ones receive the care and dignity they deserve. 

Remember, hospice is not a relinquishing of life or giving up, rather, it is the next stage of health care that seeks to maximize the quality of life before death. To some degree, it will always feel distressing to reach ‘end of life’, but hospice can build confidence that the support provided can make a difference in the dying experience for both the client and their loved ones.  

If you have questions about hospice care, and wonder if it’s right for you, we are ready to help. Our team of staff and volunteers is highly trained, experienced, compassionate and fully committed to supporting your needs. We’re here for you.    

Please call the Hospice Palliative Care Helpline: 905-667-1865  

And when you’re ready, please contact us using the Hospice Mississauga Referral Form.  

To learn more about how Hospice Mississauga has been making a difference for families in our community, please read our 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report.