How to Better Accompany a Loved One
The CSSS-IUGS is highly committed to providing quality end-of-life care and services. That is why a committee - composed of residents, families, professionals, managers, physicians and representatives of the Department of Health Care and Services Quality - has implemented a variety of tools to improve the quality of care, services and accompaniment given to residents nearing the end of their lives and to their loved ones. These tools include:
- The handbook entitled Companion Guide for the Relatives of a Person Nearing End of Life;
- The handbook entitled Comfort Care at the End of Life for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease or Other Degenerative Diseases of the Brain;
- A new sympathy card;
- A satisfaction questionnaire for received care, services and accompaniment;
- A cart containing a variety of objects (couches, radio, lamp, etc.) to enable loved ones to accompany and remain with the user nearing the end of life;
- A coffee kit courtesy of the Vitæ Foundation;
- Specialized training in end-of-life care to the staff of patient-care units;
- A care procedure as well as a checklist for nurses.