Serious illness, life-threatening disease and dying are not something we tend to think of unless absolutely necessary. Yet when these issues arise for us, or for one we love, we need lots of information and support at our fingertips. The best on-line resource for finding information that will help with symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, grief etc...) and finding care and support is the Canadian Virtual Hospice.

This is a website with information and support by experts in hospice palliative care. Hospice palliative care is a philosophy of care that aims to improve the quality of living and of dying. It is available to individuals and their loved ones throughout a serious illness and offers expert knowledge and skill to help people live as well as possible for as long as possible.

www.virtualhospice.ca 

Revised 2007 The College of Family Physicians of Canada

This information provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. This health education material has been favorably reviewed by the Patient Education Review Committee of the College of Family Physicians of Canada: Dr Cathy MacLean, Halifax, NS (Scientific Editor) Dr C. Richard Fischer, Pickering, ON Dr Patrice Laplante, Fleurimont, QC Dr Richard Moffatt, Red Deer, AB Dr David Nunn, Kentville, NS Dr Cornelius Woelk, Winkler, MB The College of Family Physicians of Canada, one of the nation's largest medical groups, is committed to promoting and maintaining high standards for family physicians - the doctors who provide ongoing, comprehensive care for people of all ages. This patient education information was developed by The College of Family Physicians of Canada in cooperation with the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Support for this program has been provided by an educational grant to the Research and Education Foundation by Scotiabank.