Hospice Muskoka officially launched the Andy’s House at Home program, designed to support individuals in the last year of life at home, where they are most comfortable.
The program, launched on March 11, provides specialized palliative care through in-home visits and virtual support, with a specialized palliative care nurse practitioner overseeing expert pain and symptom management for people in the community, along with 24/7 coverage to ensure responsive, coordinated care when it’s needed most.
“Andy’s House at Home is about delivering the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” said Donna Kearney, CEO of Hospice Muskoka. “With specialized palliative expertise available 24/7 and strong partnerships across the healthcare system, we are ensuring that people receive compassionate, coordinated care at home while also reducing avoidable emergency visits and hospital admissions. This is better for patients, better for families, and better for our healthcare system.”
Officials said since August 2025, the program has admitted 50 individuals, many of whom were able to avoid multiple emergency department visits or hospital admissions.
According to Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) data, every emergency department visit for pain management costs roughly $360. With the program in place, officials estimate a total savings of $10,800 to date. This financial impact is particularly notable for palliative patients, who typically visit the emergency department three times during their final 30 days of life.
Officials said the program, along with all Andy’s House services, allows people requiring end-of-life care to avoid hospital admission entirely. With an average 21-day hospital stay costing about $1,200 per day, this represents a potential cost avoidance of $126,000 so far.
Referrals can be made by submitting a form via email to intake@hospicemuskoka.com or by calling 705-204-2273.
