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New program empowers patients and caregivers with comfort, connection, and peace of mind

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November 6, 2025 – Halton Region, ON — For patients facing serious illness, the comfort of home can make all the difference. Halton Healthcare has launched a new virtual care pathway through è������ - a secure online platform that connects patients with their care team, provides tailored health information, and supports palliative care where patients need it most - at home.

This innovative initiative, led by Halton Healthcare’s Community Integration & Primary Health Care Program in collaboration with its Palliative Care Team, offers patients and their caregivers timely, accessible education, ongoing symptom tracking, and personalized reminders to promote comfort, confidence, and connection right from home.

“We know that palliative care is most meaningful when it meets patients where they are—at home,” said Dr. Tarek Kazem, Palliative Medicine Division Lead, Halton Healthcare. “This digital tool allows us to provide more consistent, compassionate, and proactive care while easing the journey for both patients and families.”

Since its launch, the program has seen remarkable early engagement:

• 92% of enrolled patients activated their accounts
• 83% have completed regular symptom check-ins
• 100% of respondents would recommend the program to others

Patients receive gentle prompts to track symptoms, tailored educational resources to manage pain and distress, and emotional support designed to ease anxiety. Real-time dashboards help clinicians monitor trends and intervene early – often preventing complications or unnecessary hospital visits. “We’re proud to be advancing digital innovation in community-based care,” added Elma Hrapovich, Program Director, Community Integration & Primary Health Care. “This partnership allows us to extend critical supports beyond the hospital walls, helping people remain safe and supported in their homes during some of the most vulnerable moments of life.”

“Halton Healthcare continues to be at the forefront of reimagining how technology supports compassionate, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Joshua Liu, CEO and Co-founder of è������. “We’re honoured to partner on this important initiative that brings comfort, connection, and peace of mind to patients and families when they need it most. The early results show just how powerful digital care can be when designed around empathy and delivered by teams who are committed to supporting patients at home.”

Through the platform, patients and caregivers receive:

• Personalized education on managing pain, fatigue, and other symptoms
• Regular check-ins to monitor wellbeing
• Practical guidance and emotional support to navigate day-to-day challenges

Resources to help patients feel more in control of their care. Early usage data shows that pain management resources are among the most frequently accessed, and patients are actively engaging with the education library – underscoring the need for accessible, timely guidance during times of distress. One patient using the program stated, “I truly appreciate this program. It gives me comfort and peace of mind knowing that someone is monitoring my condition each day. [The monitoring nurse], Karena, has been wonderful with her follow-ups and always reaches out promptly if there are any concerns. Completing the daily health questions helps me stay aware of my symptoms and overall wellbeing.”

Over the coming months, Halton Healthcare will:

• Expand patient enrollment and awareness across care teams
• Refine content and clinical workflows based on staff and patient feedback
• Analyze outcomes to measure impact and inform continuous improvement

This initiative reflects Halton Healthcare’s commitment to enabling person-centered, digitally supported models of care – ensuring patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.