The Olds & District Hospice Society suites are located in the Seasons Encore Retirement Home at 3300 57ave, Olds AB T4H 1C4.
The Olds & District Hospice Society, Alberta Health Services Home Care, Alberta Health Services, and the Seasons Encore staff work together in partnership model to provide excellent 24/7 palliative care.
Home Care will work with you and your health care team to create a plan that is individualized for you.
The Home Care Case Manager will oversee all aspects of your care.
The onsite Seasons Encore Licensed Practical Nurse and Health Care Aides will provide hands-on care and support.
The Palliative Care Resource Nurse can provide in-depth specialized assessments and recommendations for your care to the health care team.
The Hospice Society will support you in your overall care, and based on decisions you make. The Hospice Society will support through various services as well as volunteer support. The Hospice Society offers fiver components of care to support you and those you care about:
- Contact Base
- Information Base
- Trained Hospice Volunteers Support
- Bereavement & Navigation Support
- Communication and Advocacy
What are the criteria for people wishing to stay in the suites?
• Individuals are aware of the purpose and philosophy of the Hospice Society and the care provided.
• Must be a registered client with the Hospice Society and with Alberta Health Services Home Care Program.
• A physician must confirm the diagnosis of a terminal illness and the client must be aware of the terminal nature of their disease. Your physician must also agree to provide 24/7 coverage for your medical needs.
• Life expectancy is less than 4 months (with the exception of respite for palliative care clients).
• Cannot expect resuscitative interventions such as CPR in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. Should have a corresponding Goal or Care Designation of M2, C1 or C2.
• Should have a Palliative Performance Scale of 50% or less. • Priority will be given to Mountain View County residents but requests from outside the county will be considered when vacancies exist.
• There may be some conditions or treatment regimes that cannot be managed at the supportive living site. The ability to provide you safe care for complex needs will be discussed on a caser by case basis. An example of this might be high flow oxygen or management of certain behaviours such as wandering. This site has a policy prohibiting the use of restraints. There may also be limited availability of lab tests that might impact whether this is the right place for your care.
Are the suites right for me?
The suites offer an alternative to care at home or in acute care and are appropriate for anyone with a life-limiting illness who wants a comfortable, peaceful, supportive living experience during the last months or weeks of life. It also is appropriate for those needing a place of respite on their palliative journey.
Each suite is a self-contained one bedroom with a living room, small kitchenette, private bathroom and room for someone to stay overnight if you wish. An emergency call system is also in place for your safety.
Meals can be taken in the dining room or in your suite.
Numerous lounge and recreation areas exist within the building that you and your family may use.
Tours of the Suites can be arranged by the Olds & District Hospice Society – please call to make an appointment.
Transportation and costs related to, including ambulance service to the Suites on admission, is the responsibility of the client/family. In many cases, Alberta Palliative Coverage may cover the cost of ambulance transport.
You are also responsible for your own personal care items (see suggestions in this booklet of what to bring).
How do I arrange admission to the Suites?
Call the Hospice Society at 403-586-9992.
They will connect you with Home Care for an assessment specific to the Suites (or complete your assessment if you are in the hospital) and help coordinate everything. Assessments may be done by multiple people in order to ensure we are creating the best and most complete plan of care for you. We will do our best to keep the number of assessments to a minimum and try to avoid collecting the same information multiple times.
What about my treatments and medications?
The focus of care within the hospice palliative care is to promote comfort, provide support and prevent or treat symptoms. This will not change when you consider or move to the Hospice Suites.
Treatments that support patient comfort and manage symptoms may be continued as they would at home. You will need to make your own arrangements to attend appointments for these.
Medications will also be reviewed regularly by your doctor and health care team. Those medications that promote comfort and symptom prevention or control will be continued. Concerns about your medications should be discussed with your doctor and nurse.
What will it cost me?
The Hospice Suites are offered free of charge, courtesy of the Olds & District Hospice Society.
Alberta Health Services covers the cost of personal care and professional services, based on assessed need, through the Home Care Program.
Medication costs are similar to home. The client/family is responsible for payment and partial coverage is available through the Alberta Blue Cross Palliative Care program. If you are not already signed up for this, Home Care, the Palliative Care Resource Nurse or your doctor can help you.
Supplies, such as those for ostomy or wound care, adult continence supplies and other specific needs will be discussed with you by the Home Care nurse. Some of the cost of these supplies may be eligible for coverage through the Alberta Aides to Daily Living Program.
