Palliative care workshops seek to bust myths, provide info

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This article was published 20/09/2023 (1107 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TIM Hiebert is seeking to dispel a health system myth.

“Palliative care is not just for the final few days or weeks of life before dying,” said Hiebert, a Winnipeg palliative care specialist and member of the board of directors of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians.

It’s about making sure people don’t die “in pain and discomfort,” no matter how long the life-limiting illness or diagnosis.

“Its focus is on the quality of life while facing an incurable illness,” Hiebert said of the combined efforts of the team of doctors, nurses, social workers and others who provide palliative care for those with serious illnesses.

Those sentiments are echoed by Jennifer Gurke, executive director of Palliative Manitoba.

“It’s a huge misperception that palliative care is only for the end of life,” she said, noting it is most commonly used by those with cancer and heart disease. “It can also be provided early in a life-limiting illness to improve the quality of life.”

The focus isn’t only on the disease or illness, she explained, but on “care of the whole person,” physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

For spiritual care, it’s about finding out values and beliefs of patients and “letting them take the lead.”

While about half of those who die in Manitoba do so in hospital, palliative care is also available to those who choose to die at home — something more are choosing to do, said Gurke.

This can put strain on family members who support their loved one through illness, she added.

One thing of concern to Hiebert and Gurke is the increase in the number of older people in the province as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Palliative care is mandated to be available to all Manitobans if they want it, Hiebert said, but the reality is not everyone can get it.

“Resources for it vary across the province,” he said, with some health regions having more than others.

As the population ages, this will put additional strain on palliative care. For that reason, the government “needs to consider how they will create a culture of caring with more elderly people in Manitoba,” Hiebert said.

Dealing with myths about palliative care and other issues is one of the goals of Palliative Care Manitoba’s conference Thursday and Friday (palliativemanitoba.ca).

The theme is “Palliative Care: Everyone’s Business.”

In addition to advancing the knowledge of health-care professionals in the field, the conference is also intended to provide information for those who may find themselves needing to assist with an ill family member.

Along with keynote presentations, the conference will include workshops such as “Queering palliative care: 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and how we can best support them and their loved ones.”

Other workshops will address how family physicians can support palliative care patients at home; the use of psychedelics in palliative care; how health-care professionals can do a better job of talking about death and dying; how the lasting effects of trauma can impact palliative care; and “What is the meaning of life … and other unhelpful questions.”

The conference is open to anyone who is interested in palliative care, Gurke said, noting it might be of special interest to clergy who often minister to people who are dying, along with those who are caring for family members with illnesses.

For those unable to attend, she encouraged Manitobans to reach out to Palliative Manitoba for assistance and information. “We want to do whatever we can to help.”

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