What is Hospice Palliative Care?
Hospice palliative care is aimed at relieving the suffering and improving the quality of life for persons who are living with or dying from an advance illness. This care includes pain and symptom management in conjunction with social, psychological, spiritual and practical support. Hospice care celebrates life and regards dying as part of the normal process of life.
Our team aims to meet the individualized and unique needs of our residents all while offering a support system to aide in the resident and family's ability to cope during their illness and throughout their grief journey.
Our Residence
Our 10 bed bilingual hospice residence, located in the heart of North Bay, offers a caring and peaceful environment where 24-hour nursing care, social, psychological and personal support is provided by an expert, interdisciplinary team.
To view our virtual tour, click here →
You can also take a look at our photo book:
Resident Accomodations
At Nipissing Serenity Hospice, each resident has their own private room in which they can individualize to represent their own unique culture, personality and family unit. You are welcome to bring in photos, memorabilia, and comfort items that will personalize the space and bring a sense of familiarity to your accomodations.
Additionally, each room includes the following:
- Beds with adjustable side rails and mattress controls - linens will be provided and laundered by our team
- Telephones for outgoing calls - all incoming calls go through reception or the Nursing Station
- Climate control to best fit the residents’ needs
- Nurse call bell located above the bed - accessed by a cord and always within reach
- Day bed by the window - the resident beds can be adjusted to be the same height as the day bed to make one large bed for increased connection with your loved one
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Smart TV with cable and Netflix access
- Mini fridge to accomodate snacks and beverages- 1.7 cu. ft.
- Recliner lounge chair
- Bedside table
- Over bed table
- Free Wifi
- West-facing window overlooking Chippewa Creek
Comfort Measures
Our hospice is designed to create a peaceful, tranquil environment dedicated to cultivating rest for both our residents and their family members.
We have a large spa tub available for our residents to immerse in to promote comfort as well as to alleviate the discomfort that can often accompany those who are bedbound. Our spa room is complete with ambient lighting, an in room towel warmer as well as a speaker system to play each individual's requested music as well as a lift system to increase accessibility to all residents.
There is also a roll-in shower available for residents in our tub room with assistive devices such as grab bars and shower seats to support each individuals' preferences. Please feel welcome to request a warm blanket to increase your comfort whenever you wish.
Complimentary Therapy
Complimentary therapies are offered at Nipissing Serenity Hospice and are available to our residents and families during their time with us.
Nipissing Serenity Hospice receives support from our community in the provision of Reiki, Massage Therapy, Reflexology, Music, and therapeutic touch. Other modalities include expressive art, pet therapy, foot care, sound therapy, hair care, etc.
These supports are offered by qualified, registered volunteers and there is no charge for these services. Please speak to a member of our care team or our Volunteer and Support Coordinator for more information.
Should there be a service you'd like to receive that is not listed, please let us know. Our local community is very supportive of our residents and we will do our absolute best to meet your identified needs.
DD and Mikki, Norwegian elkhounds - two of our incredible St. John's Ambulance therapy dogs. (Photo by Will Zeng)
End of Life Wish Program
We have partnered with the District of Nipissing Community Paramedicine Program to provide personalized experiences to palliative residents at Nipissing Serenity Hospice.
Do you long to see your cottage one last time? Attend coffee club with your friends once again? See the sun set on Lake Nipissing with your partner? If you are longing for one last experience on your journey as a palliative resident, please speak with our Manager of Hospice Services or our Volunteer and Support Coordinator, and an application can be initiated to gauge if your wish can be facilitated.
This is your own personal end-of-life journey: the sky’s the limit. If there is an experience you are longing for, please bring this forward to your care team and we will most certainly do our best to make lasting memories with your loved ones.
Legacy Gift for Your Family
At Nipissing Serenity Hospice, you are more than your diagnosis. Your life and legacy matters. Capturing who you are and the life you’ve led through oral story telling is a gift that will continue to live on with your family for many years to come.
The creation of a legacy gift through oral story telling is aimed at improving a resident’s sense of personhood, purpose, meaning, and self-worth.
If creating a document capturing your life and legacy is of interest to you, please let a member of your Care Team know. We will happily make arrangements to capture the telling of your story during your time with us and transcribe your legacy into a beautifully printed gift for your family to treasure.
Guest Suite
A guest suite is available in our residence to accommodate any family or friends who want to stay the night at the facility, but would also like their own space. This room is offered on a first come, first serve basis.
The room features:
- Private washroom with a shower
- Double pull-out couch (a single cot is also available)
- Large reclining chair
- Table and chairs
- Smart TV with access to cable TV and Netflix
- Sliding door access to our patio area
- Blackout blinds
- Free WiFi access
- Pillows and linens provided free of charge
For any guests who may require hotel rooms, our team has a list of local hotels that offer discounted rates for families and friends of those in the Hospice.
