ORIENTATION

An orientation will take place prior to arrival at the Hospice. If a resident is able, he or she is very much involved in this process. If not, the family members are given the opportunity to tour the facility, meet the team members and find out more about what is available to them and what they can bring.

Among the items covered:

• Advance Health Care Directive: what is it and what does it do?
• How medications are handled
• Involvement of family physician
• Family involvement in care
• The Dignity Inventory: a series of questions designed to help the team understand the wishes, concerns and fears of residents and their families
• Guidelines for safety and security
• Residents of the Hospice are exempt from the no smoking policy but must use the specially ventilated room designed for this purpose.
• Funeral home choice
• Letter of Anticipated Death: a document provided to the funeral home in advance of a resident’s death to allow for a funeral home to receive the body
• Resident clothing: labelling, laundry
• Permission for Photo ID: residents do not wear traditional hospital wrist bands
• Eating your own food: coffee, munchies in your own room
• Admission process with Grace Hospital Patient Registration Department
• Meals for family members
• Entry to building after hours
• Feelings about autopsy
• Use of wheel chairs

What do I take to the Hospice?

Among the supplies residents might find helpful bringing to the Hospice are:

• A denture cup
• Lip balm
• Mouthwash
• Toothpaste/toothbrush
• Baby powder or corn starch
• Razor/shaving lotion
• Brush/comb
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap/shower gel
• Lotions
• Deodorant
• Nail clipper/file/nail polish
• Hearing aid/container and batteries
• Facial tissue
• Pillow/blanket/comforter
• Comfortable, easy to launder clothing
• Slippers or shoes
• Pyjamas/nightgown/robe
• Movies, DVDs, CD’s or video tapes

**Visitors must have indoor footwear**