Shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms are common at end of life and oxygen may provide comfort. This program has been designed for people at end stages of their illness when an individual has been diagnosed as palliative and the focus of care is on comfort. Eligible individuals will receive home oxygen therapy for comfort care at no cost.
Definition of Palliative Care:
When client needs can no longer be met, Palliative Care is an approach which improves the quality of life of clients 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. (World Health Organization, 2002)
Eligibility:
To determine eligibility for the Home Oxygen Program, individuals must meet the following criteria:
– must be registered with the Regional Palliative Care Program
– must be registered with the Palliative Care Drug Access Program
– must have a medical prognosis of 6 months or less
– a prescription for Oxygen from the physician must be attached to the application form and must be faxed to the Regional Palliative Care Practice Leader, by the physician, for approval by Manitoba Health
– an individual is not eligible if on another oxygen program such as Home Care or Department of Veteran Affairs
Please Note: Palliative Home Oxygen is not provided on an urgent basis. It may take 2-3 working days for completion of the process. The family will be contacted as soon as possible to arrange the delivery and installation of the oxygen.