What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-limiting illnesses, through the prevention and relief of pain and symptoms by means of early identification and impeccable assessment, and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems.
In Singapore, the term “palliative care” and “hospice care” are used interchangeably. At Assisi Hospice, we provide care for patients across the continuum of Palliative Home Care, Inpatient Palliative Care and Palliative Day Care. This allows patients and family members to journey with a clinical team they are familiar with, and to receive care in the way that they need. Our six-storey purpose-built hospice provides a homely ambience with cosy spaces for patients and their loved ones. With 80 Inpatient beds, a Day Care Centre and the outreach of our Home Care team, we serve 3,200 patients (with 2,700 new admissions) a year. Our Bereavement Support team provides grief counselling to support bereaved loved ones in finding their way forward.
Our Specialist Palliative Care Team
The Assisi Team is committed to serving with compassion and excellence, working together to provide palliative care for our patients, as well as support to their families. The team consists of:
- Palliative Medicine Specialists & Doctors
- Palliative Care Nurses
- Medical Social Workers & Counsellors
- Clinical Pastoral Care Counsellors
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Art & Music Therapists
- Speech Therapist
- Therapy Aides
- Pharmacists
- Volunteers
Medical Care
We focus on managing patients’ symptoms and pain so that they can be physically as comfortable as possible. Physical symptoms are identified and managed with appropriate medications as well as non-pharmacological interventions.
Palliative Rehabilitation and Therapy
We manage patients’ symptoms and maintain their physical and cognitive functions with customised programmes. Our team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech, music and art therapists who support patients with individual and group sessions, at our well-equipped spaces or by patients’ bedside. We also advise Palliative Home Care patients on rehabilitation, fall prevention, caregiver training and if needed, loan equipment to facilitate safe care.
Psychosocial and Clinical Pastoral Care
Apart from medical needs, patients and families are often faced with financial challenges, emotional turmoil and other family issues. Our team of Counsellors and Medical Social Workers will assist with practical solutions to support their needs or be that listening ear for emotional support. The team is trained to work with vulnerable individuals of different ages and diverse backgrounds. Our Clinical Pastoral Care team are pillars of support for patients and their families, attending to their spiritual well-being regardless of faith and beliefs.
We offer the NODA (No One Dies Alone) programme, a customised service rendered by volunteers who journey with patients who are alone, by providing round-the-clock vigil in their final days.
