Supporting people living with serious illness doesn’t have to wait until the final stages of life. A palliative approach to care can begin early – and it can start with you.
As a health or social service provider, you can make a difference by having early conversations with patients about their illness, their goals, and what matters most to them.
Offering emotional and practical support, helping to coordinate care, and supporting caregivers through the challenges of grief are all part of a palliative approach to care.
These conversations may feel difficult, but they don’t have to be. Health Canada has developed a fact sheet to help you talk to your patients about their serious illness with greater confidence.
For more information, including tools and training, visit the Palliative care: For professionals providing care page.
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