The “secret weapon hiding in plain sight”

To mark National Hospice Palliative Care Week (May 3-9), a cornucopia of articles drew attention to the goals and value of good palliative care. “There is a growing body of evidence that suggests palliative care can lower out of pocket and societal health care costs — and not just for the oldest and most frail people.”

Did you know?

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association featured a variety of resources, including a fact sheet and palliative care mythbusters chart. For instance, did you know that hospice palliative care is not only for those who are at the end-of-life?

Not all palliative care is the same

The Canadian Virtual Hospice published a brief describing the differences between palliative home care and hospital care. Wherever a patient receives palliative care is a decision involving many factors.

CPL added to the conversation with a description and case study of COVID-19 and Palliative Sedation. “The aim of palliative sedation is not sedation but relief of suffering…This is an important distinction from medical assistance in dying where the aim is to end the patient’s life.”

Please pass the butter!

Don’t miss this uplifting and very Canadian story about a PEI resident who catches and prepares fresh lobster for palliative care patients in Charlottetown. “It’s a luxury and a special treat that they talk about all week. Their faces light up, they have tears in their eyes because they just can’t believe it.”