Palliative Care

The Shirley and Philip Granovsky Palliative Care Unit (6 West)
Our beautifully renovated in-patient Palliative Care Unit at Baycrest provides 24-hour pain and symptom control combined with emotional and spiritual support for patients in need of palliative care. This 31 bed unit has beds reserved for both short-term palliative applicants (prognosis of 90 day or less) and long-stay palliative applicants (prognosis of up to two years).

The unit also offers Respite stay for up to two weeks to enable caregivers, within the community, to have relief from their care giving responsibilities. Respite patients receive pain and symptom control in a supportive environment. Please note, there may be some limitations or exclusions to some Baycrest programs and services.

Our Philosophy of Practice:

The patient, first and foremost, will be the centre of care.
Focus of care is on symptom management.
Each application is reviewed by members of the palliative care team at Baycrest for appropriateness.
Multi-disciplinary approach to care by a team of professionals including: clergy, clinical ethicist, dietary services, music therapy, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, psychology, psychiatry, physiotherapy, social work, speech language pathologists, therapeutic recreation, and volunteers.
An integrated, holistic approach to care encourages a support network among patients, family, staff and volunteers.
When a patient’s condition stabilizes to the point of no longer needing the specialized services of the palliative unit, the team will assist the patient and family in discharge planning to an appropriate facility.

Eligibility:

For adults aged 55 and over who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness requiring palliative care.
Based on a patient’s ability to comprehend, it is expected that the patient will have an understanding of the philosophy of palliative care and reason for admission.
Patients are admitted to the palliative care unit based on need and not always in the order of application. Patients at home in the community are given priority.
Baycrest is a non-smoking facility and therefore the palliative care unit is unable to accommodate patients who wish to smoke.
Patients who require the following interventions cannot be cared for on the palliative care unit at Baycrest:

Dialysis
Ventilation
CPAP machines
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
Resuscitation
Blood Transfusions and Intravenous Therapy are only done under very unusual circumstances and will be considered on a limited basis.

Rates and Charges
Co-payment charges, as determined by the Ministry of Health, are applicable to all long-stay admissions, billed from the first day of admission. Short-stay patients whose length of stay exceeds 90 days will be billed the co-payment fee beginning day 91. Room, telephone, and television charges may apply if requested.

Appointments and Information
Please call the Intake Social Worker at Baycrest: 416.785.2500, ext. 2256

Funding for this program is made possible in part by the
Palliative Care Endowment Fund.