Ontario Health atHome

The goal of Ontario Health atHome is to connect people with the right care at the right time and in the right place. Ontario Health atHome is staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals who will assess your needs, determine your requirements for care, answer your questions and develop a customized care plan that meets your individual needs. Then, if services are provided to you in your local area, they will arrange for quality health-care professionals — nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and personal support workers — to provide a range of care and supportive services to help support you at home and help you enjoy the best possible quality of life.

Contact Toll-free: 1-888-470-2222 (TTY number: 711)

E-mail: info.referral@ontariohealthathome.ca (Please note: email is not secure. Do not send personal health information.)

To learn more, click here to visit Ontario Health atHome Central area website.

Many family physicians will continue to care for you at home, at the end of life.

If you do not have a family doctor, the government of Ontario's Health Care Connect Program may be able to assist. Click on the link or speak to your specialist, Ontario Health atHome Case Coordinator or other member of your health care team.

Palliative Physicians may be involved in your care, and they have additional training and expertise in palliative care.

The Nurse Practitioner role blends clinical diagnostics, therapeutic knowledge, skills and abilities within a nursing framework which emphasizes holism and partnership with individuals, families and communities.

As part of an interprofessional team, the Hospice Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner visits patients with a life-limiting illness in their home, providing holistic care and support. Their goal is to help patients to live in comfort as their illness progresses and make informed decisions about their care throughout the palliative journey.

Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) facilitate hospice palliative care consultation, education, mentorship and linkages to hospice palliative care resources across the continuum of care:

Clinical Nurse Consultants serve as a resource to assist staff in interpretation and application of assessment tools and best practice guidelines.

These are professionally led volunteer supported programs which provide community support services in the home or in a day program hospice setting.

Click here for a listing of hospices in the Central region,

When staying at home is no longer an option, residential Hospices can offer end-of-life care in the final weeks of a person's illness, as well as support individuals and their families. Professional care is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Families and caregivers are encouraged and welcome to participate in the life and care of the person at the Hospice.

Referrals to the Residential Hospices are made by Health Care Professionals.

For Seniors and adults with physical disabilities, you may benefit from home-based community support services such as:

Meals on Wheels, transportation, friendly home visiting, caregiver support, foot care homemakers and personal support workers and bereavement support

While these services are not specifically palliative care, they do provide support to those who are living at home with incurable life-limiting illnesses.