FAQ
Q - What kind of care is offered at the hospice residence?
A – Once admitted to the hospice residence, our nursing and support staff offer any care that would have been provided in your home by Home and Community Care. Bedside nursing includes administration of medication, changing of dressings or wounds, etc. Personal support includes bathing, meal assistance, laundry, and other “activities of daily living”. We also try to ensure that residents and their family and friends are receiving holistic support related to Grief and Bereavement, Spiritual Care, practical concerns, etc.
Q - How do I access this service?
A – Referrals are made through the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) at 705-310-2222. The LHIN will assess eligibility and complete a referral that will be sent to Mariposa House Hospice. MHH will then complete an assessment with the referred individual prior to admission. Please contact us for further information.
Q - Can my doctor still be in charge of my care?
A – Yes! In fact, the team at Mariposa House Hospice wants to work closely with your family doctor to ensure you receive the best care possible. In most cases, we anticipate that family doctors will remain in charge of your care. The hospice also has a medical director to offer guidance and advice to the family doctors and the clinical team of RNs and PSWs. If you don’t have a family doctor, we will try to match you with one.
Q - Who provides my medication?
Your medication works the same way it does at home. Anything covered by OHIP can be accessed from a pharmacy, to make sure that you get what you need.
Q - How much does it cost?
A – There is no fee for the care provided in the hospice residence. A portion of our operating costs are covered by provincial funding, and the rest is covered through donations, fundraising, and grants. We gratefully accept in-memoriam donations, bequests, endowments and stock transfers.
In rare circumstances, if an individual improves after being admitted, they would need to be discharged after a certain period of time (usually 8-10 weeks). If this requires a long wait (for example, if waiting for a Long-Term Care bed), a fee may apply because our funding is specifically for end-of-life care.
Q - Is there a limit on how long you can stay?
A – Usually, individuals are admitted when they are nearing end-of-life. The average amount of time spent in the hospice residence is 1 – 2 weeks. In rare circumstances, if an individual improves after being admitted, they would need to be discharged after a certain period of time (usually 8 – 10 weeks).
Q - What are the visiting hours?
A – Family and friends are able to visit the hospice 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. With COVID-19, certain visitation restrictions may be in place (how many visitors at a time, etc). Each suite has a Murphy Bed so that a family member can stay overnight.
Q - Do I have to supply my own food?
A – Our hospice kitchen is stocked with the “basics”.
Full meals for residents are provided (prepared by staff and volunteers as needed). These are the sort of meals commonly prepared at home (i.e. they are not fancy chef prepared meals!).
Volunteers also prepare light refreshments (soup, muffins) for anyone in the hospice that day, and a coffee/tea bar is available. We do not provide a meal service for family and friends. Each suite offers a small fridge and microwave so that families can bring in additional food supplies they may need.
