In Ontario there are 4 million caregivers; ordinary people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour.
The 2019 Spotlight Report indicates that 72% of those that receive this care are over the age of 65. Caring for a senior or someone who is facing a terminal illness comes with special considerations. Dementia, physical frailty, and the management of multiple health issues can be a few, as well as home safety, moving to long-term care and end-of-life.
If you’re caring for someone in a palliative care environment or providing end of life care, some of these resources may be helpful.
A Caregiver’s Guide – A Handbook About End of Life Care by the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association (CHPCA).
The Canadian Home Care Association promotes excellence in home care through leadership, awareness and knowledge to shape strategic directions. They believe in accessible, responsive home care and community supports which enable people to stay in their homes with safety, dignity and quality of life – www.cdnhomecare.ca
Canadian Virtual Hospice provides support and personalized information about palliative and end-of-life care to patients, family members, health care providers, researchers and educators. – www.virtualhospice.ca
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association distributes several free resources for caregivers. These resources include: Living Lessons® A Guide for Caregivers, A Caregivers Guide: A handbook about end-of-life care, Advance Care Planning Workbook, and much more. The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association also has many events and online resources for caregivers at www.chpca.net.
Pallium’s Care Connections Program consists of a suite of resources and activities to support the millions of Canadians who are caring for their family, friends, and members of their communities. These resources are provided for free and are designed to empower every Canadian to better support the caregivers in their lives and to help strengthen the important social connections within our communities. www.pallium.ca/care-connections
New Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Resources
To fill a national gap in accessible, trusted resources, Canadian Virtual Hospice and National MAiD Working Group have launched a suite of tools for the public and people working in healthcare. Available in English and French, the resources can be found at www.VirtualHospice.ca/MAiD. In addition to 15 articles and 230 videos, you will find:
- Understanding MAiD: For Individuals and Families – This booklet outlines key information on process and guidelines and answers common questions.
- Understanding MAiD: For Healthcare Providers – This booklet helps people working in healthcare to understand and navigate MAiD and challenging situations.
- 10 Myths about MAiD – This infographic demystifies 10 common myths.
- Medical Assistance in Dying Q&A – This infographic answers five of the most common questions.
- Grief and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) – This new module on MyGrief.ca supports people grieving a death with MAiD or an anticipated MAiD death.
