Frequently Asked Questions
We know palliative care can be confusing. See below for a list of answers to frequently asked questions. And if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.
The World Health Organization defines palliative care as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.”
While cancer diagnoses represent approximately 69% of our admissions, non-cancer diagnoses including ALS, renal disease, dementia, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and other illnesses are also common. See our admissions page to learn more about eligibility.
The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence is an independent, community-based, non-profit institution, accredited by the Quebec government to provide palliative care services to residents of Montreal. The Residence allows terminally ill patients to live their final days in comfort and with dignity in a warm, home-like environment, close to their family, and in their community. The Residence is the largest freestanding palliative care residence in Canada. Our services are provided without charge.
Our admission process has been designed to transfer the burden away from the patients and their families, into the hands of the patient’s treating health care team. As a first step, the patient, family member, or primary caregiver must make a verbal request to the patient’s treating health care team (usually a nurse, social worker or physician). Letting someone know that you are considering a transfer to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence is your only responsibility. Everything else will be taken over by the patient’s treating health care team.
Family members, friends, and pets are welcome to visit their loved ones. All visitors must enter and exit by our front door and must, for safety reasons, sign in and out of our logbook.
Visiting hours are 24/7, with a maximum of two people for overnight stays. Please advise the nurse if a family member or a friend wishes to stay overnight in the patient’s room. We ask that people staying the night arrive before 8 p.m. if possible and those coming in for a morning visit arrive after 8 a.m. (while there is someone at reception to welcome them).
We understand that you may need to stay in touch with family members, friends, and relatives. However, keep in mind that we are trying to maintain a peaceful environment for our patients and their families. We ask all visitors to be mindful of the ambient noise when using their cell phones (e.g., please avoid talking on your cell phone in the hallways).
Parking permits are available for those who wish to park directly on André-Brunet Street. Please inquire at reception, as spaces are limited.
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The Residence is always looking for people with a heart of gold and a smile that can light up a room! If you would like to be part of this exceptional group of people, fill out the application form, and we will contact you shortly to find the right fit. If you have any questions, please call 514 693-1718, ext. 264.
As leaders in palliative care medicine, we understand that our patients aren’t the only people who need our care and attention. Since opening our doors in 2002, it’s been our mission to provide safe, bereavement support groups in English and French for adults, teens and young children who are dealing with the death of a loved one. Visit our bereavement support page for more information.
If you want to honour someone special by making a donation in their memory to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence, please visit our donations page. Please note that, unless advised otherwise, a card acknowledging your gift will be sent to the family on your behalf.
As a registered non-profit charity (charity number 862444908RR0001), the Residence relies on community support and fundraising activities to raise more than $4.5 million each year, which complements our government subsidy. It is the Foundation Board’s responsibility is to ensure financial security, such that day to day operations are guaranteed and that future funding is assured. In order to provide our first-class services at no cost to the patients and their families, we need your support. To find out how you can support the Foundation, please visit our donations page.