Hospice Halifax prioritizes comfort, dignity, and personal journeys for individuals nearing the end of life. However, in Nova Scotia, a scarcity of specialized hospice beds means that a peaceful passing is not guaranteed for many. Nurse manager Claire Prashad highlights the pressing need for enhanced end-of-life care, pointing out that the province falls short of the recommended ratio of seven hospice beds per 100,000 people.
With only 30 hospice beds across Nova Scotia – 10 each in Halifax, the Annapolis Valley, and Cape Breton – the province significantly lags behind the ideal standard. Prashad stresses the challenge faced by Hospice Halifax, which operates only 10 beds while having around 30 to 35 individuals waiting for care at any given time.
The Department of Health and Wellness has initiated a review of hospice care province-wide, aiming to address the shortfall. As part of this effort, a medical director will oversee the phased expansion of services at Fisherman’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg, introducing five additional hospice beds.
Responding to inquiries regarding the shortage, Health Minister Michelle Thompson mentioned that the province also offers 40 individual palliative care beds as an alternative. While acknowledging the need for improvements, Thompson emphasized the diverse delivery of end-of-life care in various settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community environments.
Despite efforts to enhance palliative care, Prashad underscores the distinctive value of hospice settings compared to other palliative options. She collaborates with community healthcare providers to assess needs effectively, aiming to prevent end-of-life crises in emergency settings. Hospice care, she explains, offers a homely atmosphere unlike the institutionalized environment of hospital palliative units.
Hospice Halifax, established through community support and donations, now requires sustained government funding to operate efficiently. Prashad encourages the public to engage with their local representatives to advocate for expanded hospice services, emphasizing the critical role these facilities play in providing dignified end-of-life care.
Valley Hospice in Kentville, with 10 patient beds, operates under a distinct financial model compared to Hospice Halifax. Built by the Valley Hospice Foundation and managed by Nova Scotia Health, the facility primarily relies on provincial funding with supplementary support from the foundation. Since opening in September 2020, Valley Hospice has experienced a consistent rise in occupancy, currently operating at over 80% capacity.
For individuals fortunate enough to secure a hospice bed, the experience can be life-changing. The hospice model tailors care to address each individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, incorporating services like music therapy, pet visits, and fulfilling final wishes. Kaitlin Cantrell, the social work coordinator at Hospice Halifax, emphasizes the relief this care brings to families, allowing them to be supportive relatives rather than caregivers burdened with multiple roles.
