Palliative Care Resources

Please have a look through a list of our resources and speak with your social worker, or a member of PACT to find out what you might be eligible for. 

Hospices

Hospices are non-profit community-based services that provide practical, respite and home hospice care for people living with life limiting illnesses. Services support children who are being cared for in their homes, as well as, parents and siblings.  

Services may include: home visitors, caregiver relief, transportation, meal preparation, therapeutic programs (e.g. art therapy), emotional/spiritual support, bereavement/friendly visits and bereavement support groups. 

Services can be provided to the ill child, siblings, parents, or any other family member. 

To locate a Hospice in your area:

• Visit Hospice Palliative Care Ontario 

Residential Paediatric Hospices

There are currently two pediatric residential hospices in the Greater Toronto Area, Emily’s House and Darling Home for Kids.  

These hospices provide a home-like setting and can be an alternative location for care. They offer comfortable, medically supervised care in a home-like setting, with professional staff and trained volunteers who provide a variety of programs for medically complex children, children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses and their families. Children may go to a residential hospice for respite care or for end-of-life care. 

Please visit the below websites for more information. 

• Emily’s House (Toronto) - this YouTube video describes hospice services for Emily's House 
• Darling Home for Kids (Milton) 
• Roger Neilson House (Roger's House, Ottawa) 

Financial resources

ACSD (Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities)

Parents who have a child with severe disabilities may be eligible for assistance, based on their income level, from the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities program. The ACSD program provides help with the ongoing extraordinary costs arising from the disability. This fund is available through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. 

EI Benefits for Parents of Critically Ill Children

If you are a parent who has to be away from work to provide care or support to your critically ill or injured child, you could be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits for Parents of Critically Ill Children (PCIC). This is an income support benefit for families caring for a seriously ill relative through the Employment Insurance Program. Up to six weeks of benefits will be provided. Criteria eligibility are in place. 

Easter Seals Society

Phone: 416-421-8377 
Phone: 1-800-668-6252 
Offers many services to children and youth with physical disabilities through direct services and programs. The society also does research, advocacy and public education. 

Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation

Phone: 905-852-1799 
E-mail: generalmail@jenash.org 
Mandated to improve the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families they provide financial support for costs surrounding a child's illness. Ontario residents only. 

Special Services at Home (SSAH)

Through the Ministry of Community and Social Services, this program focuses on supporting families in caring for a family member within their home. 

The Unforgettables Fund

The Hospital for Sick Children 
Speak with your Social Worker or Grief Support Coordinator 

Offers funding to help SickKids families with limited income provide a dignified funeral for their child. 

Financial Assistance with Medications

Trillium Drug Program

Ministry of Health and Long Term Care 
1-800-268-1154 
The Trillium Drug Program helps people who have high drug costs in relation to their income