World Day Mythbusting: Access

MYTH: Everyone has access to hospice and palliative care

FACT: Though every person has the right to hospice and palliative care, there are many around the world who do not have access to hospice and palliative care. In fact only about 10% of the need for palliative care is currently being met worldwide.

In Canada, access to hospice palliative care is a growing concern. Did you know that only 16% to 30% of Canadians who die currently have access to or receive hospice palliative and end-of-life care services?[i] And access varies depending on where they live in Canada. While hospice palliative care is a right, many Canadians don’t even have access.

And few Canadians are able to die in the setting of their choice. When asked, most people have indicated that they would prefer to die at home in the presence of loved ones[ii], yet almost 70% of Canadian deaths occur in a hospital.[iii]

Access to hospice palliative care is compounded by the fact that Canadians are aging. The more seniors that require hospice palliative care, the fewer will actually have access to it, assuming that current trends continue.

Canada is woefully unprepared for the burden that our aging population will place on the healthcare system. It is essential that changes happen now. All Canadians deserve to die in the setting of their choice. All Canadians deserve to have access to quality hospice palliative care.  It is our responsibility to ensure the best possible care for some of the most vulnerable people in our country.