National Hospice Palliative Care Week: 'Let’s Work Together'
By Contributor
National Hospice Palliative Care Week (NHPCW) 2012 will be celebrated on May 6-12, 2012.
As people approach end-of-life, it is increasingly important for pathways of communication to remain open between family and all professionals and volunteers involved in a patient’s continuum of care.
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, along with its NHPCW Advisory Committee, have developed the following theme: “Let’s work together! Support networks are there to help! Health care teams, caregivers, volunteers, family and friends are valuable resources, keep them in the loop.”
The responsibility of caring for someone with a life-limiting illness is one that needs to be shared collectively within the hospice palliative care team and the family.
Together we can all make a difference in the lives of those who are living with a life-limiting illness and those affected by it.Peter Mansbridge, shares
“Community, friendship, family and openness are necessary to ensure quality end-of-life care. Let’s work together to help people approaching end-of-life.”
The Greater Trail Hospice Society has been promoting this philosophy for 25 years within our local communities through all of our programs.
It provides bedside support for those with life-limiting illness, training for volunteers, education for health professionals, grief support groups and a library of resources about death and grief.
We invite all to join us at our Anniversary Gala to be held May 5th, 7PM at the Trail Memorial Center at the beginning of National Hospice Week.
“Working together” also means that Canadians are well prepared for the end of life. This includes Advance Care Planning and naming a substitute decision maker.
For more information on Advance Care Planning please go to www.advancecareplanning.ca or to http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2012/MyVoice-AdvanceCarePlanningGuide.pdf
All Canadians have the right to die with dignity, free of pain, surrounded by their loved ones, in a setting of their choice. It is crucial that the Canadian healthcare system have the programs and services in place to provide the quality end-of-life care that Canadians need.
Please contact the Hospice Office at 250-364-6204 for support or further information.
Local Contact:
Gail Potter, Chairperson
Greater Trail Hospice Society
250-231-0068
gail.pot@telus.net
National Contact:
Vanessa Sherry
Communications Officer
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
1-800-668-2785 Ext. 229
vsherry@bruyere.org@bruyere.org
