About La Maison de la Sérénité
La Maison de la Sérénité originated from a humanist movement that was inspired many similar undertakings in Europe.
Mission
La Maison's mission
La Maison’s mission is to provide free services to end-of-life patients so they may pass on peacefully while receiving quality palliative care, supported by a caregiving team and surrounded by their loved ones, in a quiet and welcoming environment.
About us
La Maison de la Sérénité is a place where:
Individuals receiving end-of-life care in the company of their loved ones can live their final days with dignity and respect in a warm family environment.
We acknowledge that everyone has an identity based on their origins, culture, education, values, beliefs, aspirations, and fears.
The presence and support of loved ones or others who are significant to the patient are encouraged. Loved ones are considered members of the caregiving team, promoting quality of life and the journey toward the end of life.
Mutual assistance and volunteerism are encouraged. The caregiving team and other resources working at La Maison share the same intervention philosophy and concern for involvement and support.
About us
A majestic and peaceful location on the Rivière des Prairies.
La Maison’s mandate implies managing a family-type home that can house patients requiring palliative care. La Maison is an alternative between a hospital and the patient’s home.
In this place, people can live and spend their final days with dignity in the most possible comfort, surrounded by their loved ones, an interdisciplinary caregiving team, and people who can assist them. Located on a majestic and peaceful site on the Rivière des Prairies, in Laval, La Maison de la Sérénité can welcome 12 end-of-life patients.
Quality care without compromise
At La Maison, each patient is treated with respect and dignity. The care is all-encompassing and filled with humanity and kindness, as our staff strives to meet every individual’s needs.
Our caregiving team comprises physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, P.A.B.s, social worker, and several volunteers. They all work together to provide the greatest possible well-being to the patient in their final days, alleviate their suffering, and support their loved ones.
A quiet and welcoming environment
La Maison provides an environment conducive to tranquility and serenity. Each room has large windows facing the river so that end-of-life patients can find a haven of peace supported by the presence and reassurance of their loved ones.
La Maison even hosted an emotional wedding ceremony between a patient and her spouse, thereby immortalizing their love for each other. At La Maison, anything is possible, within reason of course!
Environment
Foundations of our commitment
The values of La Maison de la Sérénité are the outcome of its history and the basis of its identity and culture. They give meaning to our actions. They direct engagement, reinforce cohesion, and structure modes of cooperation by adopting a code of conduct shared by all stakeholders of La Maison.
Our Values
Respect and dignity
Kindness and compassion
Competence and professionalism
Cooperation and solidarity
Openness
Guiding principles
Our palliative care philosophy
Our approach allows death to take its natural course and aims to make this time as comfortable as possible for our patients and their loved ones.
Our priority is to relieve the patient’s suffering and improve their quality of life during those final days or weeks. Through 24-hour care, pain and symptom management, counseling, and emotional support, we help ease the patient and their loved one’s pain and allow them to live their final moments fully, knowing that their fears and hopes are recognized and. Understanding their needs to adapt our care accordingly is at the base of our philosophy. The customization of care is what makes La Maison so unique.
Alliance
Alliance des maisons de soins palliatifs du Québec
The Alliance des maisons de soins palliatifs du Québec’s mission is to represent and protect the collective interests of its members with government bodies, including the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Quebec. La Maison de la Sérénité is a member of the Alliance.
Key Facts
- Palliative care residences have existed in Quebec for over 35 years ;
- There are 43 residences ;
- Alliance member residences are present in 14 socio-health regions ;
- They have 351 beds, accounting for over 34% of all available palliative care beds in Quebec ;
Quebec
Access to Palliative Care: An Unrecognized Right of Quebecers
In an article published by the Alliance, Access to Palliative Care: An Unrecognized Right of Quebecers, the Alliance sought to obtain concrete data on the perception of palliative care among Quebecers. Here is what a survey conducted by IPSOS in March 2023 among 1,000 respondents aged over 30 revealed, on behalf of the Alliance of Palliative Care Residences of Quebec:
Survey:
- The vast majority of Quebecers, 79%, mistakenly believe that palliative care is only comfort care provided in the last days of life.
- Palliative care, when introduced early in the disease trajectory, provides the patient with benefits that go far beyond pain relief.
The Alliance notes that the lack of education and training of both the public and caregivers are major factors limiting access to palliative care. In Quebec, the right to receive quality palliative care has been recognized for all Quebecers since December 2015. It is imperative that the public be informed about this right!
