Baycrest Health Sciences & Baycrest Foundation Publications
Issue link: http://baycrest.uberflip.com/i/796458
Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual 8 WHEN SHOULD PALLIATIVE CARE BE PROVIDED? The decision about when to start Palliative Care is made by the person and family in consultation with the care team. Under many provincial health plans, people must have a diagnosis of having six or fewer months to live to be eligible for Palliative Care services. In reality, it is difficult to make those estimates. In some cases, the health care system continues with curative care only for so long that the person doesn't have an opportunity to benefit from palliative or end-of-life care. That is why there is a growing trend to provide both palliative and curative care together, and to offer certain aspects of palliative care, such as advanced care planning and psychological and spiritual support, to anyone diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. HOW DO PEOPLE ACCESS PALLIATIVE CARE? People are usually referred to Palliative Care by their physician or other care provider. They are then assessed to see if the service meets their needs and told about the options available to them. PRINCIPLES GUIDING PALLIATIVE CARE Patient/Family Focused Care. The patient's and their caregivers' and family's needs and wishes guide decision-making and care planning. Their personal, cultural and religious values, beliefs and practices are respected. All aspects of care are sensitive to their preparedness to deal with the dying process. Care is guided by quality of life as defined by the person who is dying. Members of the team enter into a therapeutic relationship with the patient and family based on dignity and integrity, and work with the strengths and limitations of the person and family. They act with compassion towards the person and family, and provide the care, information and support they need. For example, while a person receiving curative care might be told that they cannot add salt to their food, for the person in Palliative "Family" includes whoever the dying person considers family. Other terms used include: important ones, loved ones and family of choice.