Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care
This podcast explores how to strengthen a palliative approach to care in long-term care (LTC) settings. It features conversations with patients, health care professionals, family members, researchers, and others aimed at improving end-of-life care. The focus is on addressing the unique physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of individuals in LTC. Episodes discuss compassionate care that enhances quality of life and limits suffering. The production is supported by Health Canada.
Episodes
Dementia and caregiving: a conversation with blueBell Village founder Andrew Karesa
"I'm trying to make life as simple as possible for caregivers because nobody's ever said to me, 'Caregiving is fun. I can't wait to do it.' Because it is hard, it's stressful. It's worrisome. It's exhausting. It's mentally tiring. It's difficult. So how do we make it easier in the areas where it's actually important?" Andrew Karesa i
Serious Illness Conversations in Long-Term Care: a conversation with Nurse-Practitioner Elizabeth Wojtowicz
"Healthcare providers and our society in general, they're uncomfortable with talking about death and things that might lead to death. And we just need to be brave. As healthcare providers, we need to have the courage to have those conversations because people want them. That has been one of the surprising things that I've found is that people are just waiting for you to ask the ques
The Golden Villages: reconnecting people with dementia to nature and community
The Golden Villages is a proposed rural, land-based dementia care community located in Mount Pleasant, Ontario. Rooted in agriculture, environmental stewardship, and dignity-centred care, the project is exploring a new model of aging that reconnects people living with dementia to nature, meaningful daily activity, and community.We spoke with Larissa Stadnichuk, a farmer, stuntwoman, stunt coordina
Person-directed living: honouring each person's lifestyle needs and preferences
Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba is a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive community providing long-term care, palliative care, and neurological rehabilitation services through inpatient, outpatient, and outreach programs. We had a conversation with Kathleen Klassen, the Chief Executive Officer at Riverview. In this role, Kathleen is leading an organizational culture transformation towa
Understanding the many aspects of frailty: a conversation with Dr. Zahra Goodarzi
"When we did work talking to patients and care partners and providers, a lot of patients and care partners weren't aware of frailty as an idea or concept. But once it was explained to them, they felt much better and understood what was happening. We all seek understanding and explanation in some way, and I think that can really help people really understand what's happening to their
Cultural safety and palliative care: a conversation with the North West Palliative Care Group
"When we are talking about culturally safe care, it's really having that background, that trauma-informed care approach. And that's for any person, it's not Indigenous-specific. To make it Indigenous-specific is to understand that Indigenous people in Canada have had a very different history. Every single Indigenous person that you have met or spoken to in Canada has been affec
Caring for and learning from our elders: a conversation with Renate Goodstriker
"There's a lot of love and respect for our elders, but for ourselves too, as individuals. Generosity and humbleness and the teaching from our elders. I really like to look at them as our teachers in the way we care for people and how we treat people. It's a part of my drive to make sure that our elders are cared for in the best way."Renate Goodstriker is a proud Blackfoot Firs
Dementia Widow: a conversation with author Fay Martin about Green Care Farms and how we care for those with dementia
"One Green Care home that I just loved was kind of messy and untidy. You had the feeling that life was happening all around you, and it was busy enough that not everybody could tidy up entirely ... a little bit of what we did yesterday, reminding us today of what we did yesterday, which actually with dementia is a very good idea. And the woman who had initiated it identified that the culture
Stories in Motion: a conversation with Expressive Arts Practitioner Fay Wilkinson
"Stories in Motion are a way to give the unspoken a voice. Because so often with the people I'm working with, they've not had that voice...but if we can put it into a story, if we can put it into a world where anything can happen and people can say anything, then those unspoken thoughts, feelings get transposed and transformed into something for the person who creates, and for the p
Living and dying with dignity, choice and compassion: a conversation with End-of-Life Doula Jennifer Mallmes
"If I had one wish of what the healthcare system knew about end of life doulas, it would be that if you embed end of life doulas into your healthcare settings, not as healthcare professionals, but as social emotional supports that their job would be a lot easier. People would be aware of advanced care plans, and people would be aware of actually just thinking through what they want. Families
Be bold, be different: a conversation with Elroy Jespersen about The Village Langley
"There are people who are saying we can't continue to do what we've always done. Don't tinker around the edges and make things a little bit better in the same old template that you've always had. Get rid of that. Change it radically, be bold, move forward."Elroy Jespersen envisioned a different type of community where people living with dementia could live their own
Creating a home in long-term care: a conversation with architects Neda Basharat and Tony Ross
How does architectural design impact the quality of life for residents in long-term care? And how does design influence a palliative approach to care? We spoke with two architects at Montgomery Sisam Architects who have a particular passion for thoughtful design in long-term care.Neda Basharat has been focused on creating home-like environments for seniors within the long-term care sector for over
Creating meaningful spaces and experiences: a conversation with Laurel Pizarro and Helen Stoakes of Grand View Manor
"It's about looking at the finer things... preferences in their meals, and giving families special spaces to be together with their loved ones in those final moments ... ensuring we meet the needs of each individual resident."Grand View Manor is a long-term care and assisted living facility located in Berwick, in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. Laurel Pizarro is a registered
What is delirium? A conversation with members of SPA-LTC's Partner Working Group
"It's kind of an altered state of consciousness where they are just not themselves. Dealing with my dad, sometimes it comes across as delusions and paranoia, it's this otherness, it is not him. It's a body response or a mind's response to these things that they can't handle." - Marlene MoormanDelirium is frightening for both the affected person and their loved on
Music Therapy in Palliative Care: a conversation with Sheila Killoran
"There's kind of a magical quality with music, a healing or a support really that comes from the music. As long as people have been around, we have been making music and it really does connect with us on an emotional level." - Sheila KilloranSheila Killoran is the Education Lead for the Covenant Health Palliative Institute. She is a certified music therapist and holds a Master'
Equine therapy in long-term care: a conversation with Jennifer Semach
"Sometimes people can really shut down and the horses can get in there and reach in and welcome them back to being present. The horses are gifted. It's all them."Jennifer Semach is the founding Executive Director and program facilitator of Walkabout Farm Therapeutic Riding Association, a charitable organization in Minden, Ontario that offers free mental and physical health services
Caring for a partner with dementia: a conversation with Fay Martin
"You don't know what's going wrong. And you have all these theories, but it's a long time before dementia is one of the hypotheses..."Fay Martin is a retired social worker who lives in Haliburton County, a small rural community in Ontario. She cared for her husband, who had dementia, until his death in 2022. He died with - but not of - dementia, sparing them the ravages of
Person-centered care and the role of the Social Worker in Long-Term Care: a conversation with Kristen Lew-Byrne
What is person-centered care and how does it contribute to a 'good' death? We spoke with Kristen Lew-Byrne, a registered social worker who talked to us about patient-centered care, and how social workers work with team members, residents and families to help achieve a good death means for each individual. Kristen Lew-Byrne is a registered social worker who has worked alongside and suppo
The Nurse Practitioner's role in palliative care: a conversation with NP Jennifer Burgess
"Nurse Practitioners are well positioned to help residents and families navigate their life limiting illness. We have the knowledge and skillset to provide their primary medical care, their maintenance therapies, and the treatment of chronic illness flareups. I think the value add is that we can also integrate this approach and philosophy throughout the continuum of care."Nurse Practitio
Pre-Printed Orders and decision-making in palliative care: a conversation with LPN Sarah Murphy
"I think a lot of people, when you say the word palliative, they think the end of life is imminent. And that's not the case at all. These are conversations that should be starting to happen on move in or even before move-in." Sarah Murphy is a licensed practical nurse and the assistant director of care at The Hamlet's long-term care community in Vernon, British Columbia. She ha
Tools for for transitions in end-of-life care: a podcast with Registered Nurse Ryan Collins
How do we support the elderly and their loved ones as they transition through the phases of end of life? Registered Nurse Ryan Collins talks with us about how the Palliative Performance Scale tool and courses through the SPA-LTC program have helped him adapt care strategies for long-term care residents to ensure that they get the care that's right for them.Ryan Collins is a registered nurse a
Order sets for improving palliative care: a conversation with palliative care physician Dr. Melanie Leger
Dr. Melanie Leger is a palliative care physician in Moncton, New Brunswick. She recently developed standardized templates for order sets in palliative, to help guide community and long-term care health professionals as they review and update palliative protocols. The templates also increase efficiency by adding medication quantities and refill orders that can double as a prescription."Some of
Health Equity in palliative care for Indigenous peoples: a conversation with project leader and researcher Holly Prince
How do we address the issues of health equity when jurisdictional issues create a gap between two systems of care? We spoke with Holly Prince about the barriers to care for Indigenous peoples, and the importance of equitable access to palliative care within Indigenous communities.Holly Prince is an Anishinaabekwe and a member of Opwaaganisiniing in Northwestern Ontario. She has a Master’s Degree
Social programs for people with dementia: a conversation with Green Care Farms founder Rebekah Churchyard
A Green Care farm is a combination of agricultural activities and a population that could benefit from time in the outdoors. Green Care Farms CEO and Founder Rebekah Churchyard provides outdoor day programs for people with dementia, connecting them with nature on a farm in Milton, Ontario. The program includes planning and planting sensory gardens, and growing food for the local food. She says tha
Transitions and support when a loved one dies: a conversation with funeral director Joe Peters
How do we better support family, friends, and long-term care staff as they grieve the death of a long-term care resident? Joe Peters is a funeral director with more than 35 years of experience at funeral homes in Toronto. He has supported many family members and friends through grief, and he has also experienced a wide range of approaches to honoring the deaths of residents in long-term care. Lear
Palliative Care for people living with disabilities: a conversation with Death Doula/ Grief Educator Carrie Batt
Living with a disability can add extra complexity in health care settings, especially if communication is a challenge. Carrie Batt draws from her personal and extensive professional experience within the developmental disability sector to offer end of life care, support and planning for people across the disability spectrum. She helps people navigate systems for equitable and quality healthcare, a
Palliative and long-term care for Indigenous people: a podcast with Nurse, Elder and Knowledge Keeper Jeroline Smith
How do we ensure that Indigenous people receive palliative care that aligns with their culture and spirituality? In this episode, guest host and researcher Mary Lou Kelley has a conversation with Jeroline Smith, a retired nurse, Elder and Knowledge Keeper who has made significant contributions to palliative care for Indigenous people. Jeroline talks about the importance of community, the need for
Finding purpose in long-term care: a conversation with Shalom Village CEO Pat Morden
How do we make mission statements real ? Pat Morden says that leadership is critical to ensuring that people have autonomy and a sense of purpose to understand the mission.Pat Morden, the 'upcycled' CEO of Shalom Village, is committed to enriching the experiences of those who need to live closer to care and want to live life on their own terms. Pat has worked to achieve this alongside ot
End of Life Doulas in long-term care: a conversation with Olga Nikolajev
What role do End of Life Doulas play in long-term care, and how can they help residents, family members and long-term care staff during the dying experience? We spoke with End of Life Nurse Educator Olga Nikolajev about the role of an End of Life Doula in long-term care, and how they contribute to quality end-of-life care.Olga Nikolajev is an end of life nurse educator with over 25 years of profes
The role of Speech Language Pathologists in long-term care: a conversation with Speech Language Pathologist Caitlin Buchell
Speech language pathologists have a unique and important role in a palliative approach to care, especially when it comes to managing risk and maintaining quality of life. Caitlin Buchell is a Speech Language Pathologist working in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. She works with individuals with neurological disorders at the end of life to maximize their quality of life and ensure that they&apos
Compassionate Leadership in Long-Term Care: a conversation with Thrive Group Executive Director Bahar Karimi
Bahar Karimi believes that compassion is the foundation to a palliative approach to care, and that it starts with ensuring that team members feel valued, safe and cared for. She believes that we need a culture change in long-term care, one that identifies residents' multi-dimensional needs and gives team members the knowledge and tools to provide the best possibly care and quality of life.Ba
Community paramedics and a palliative approach to care: a conversation with Craig Jones
When you think of paramedics, do you think of 911 and emergency services? A community paramedics program in Peterborough is working to provide palliative and social services to seniors at home, with a goal to help them live well at home for as long as they can. Paramedics provide medical, emotional and mental health supports, and can identify individuals who may be at risk. They are also an advo
Embracing Diversity: new tools to support inclusion in long-term care
A new diversity toolkit is providing resources for long-term care organizations to help raise awareness of issues of equity, diversity and inclusion. The Embracing Diversity: A Toolkit for Supporting Inclusion in Long-Term Care Homes is an interactive resource with print and online components that gives long-term care homes practical steps to nurture diverse and welcoming communities.We spoke with
Goals of Care in Long-Term Care: a conversation with physician and researcher Dr. Henry Siu
"That's where the communication bit really is important. There's still medicine along the way, there's still chronic disease management. but it's the soft skills and the relationships and how you can leverage that to really make that stay for the long-term care resident and their family as peaceful, as comfortable and as high quality for them as possible." Dr. Henry S
Meaningful Connections: a conversation with PhD student and researcher Courtney Hicks
Courtney Hicks is a PhD student at the University of Waterloo in the School of Public Health Sciences, Aging Health and Wellbeing program. Her research focuses on a palliative approa h to care for persons living with dementia in long-term care settings. For two years, she worked as a Meaningful Connections Coordinator alongside a recreation and leisure team in a long-term care home in southern Ont
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers - Episode 8
Essential life lessons from family caregivers: On autonomy, commitment, and diversityIn this final episode, co-hosts Katie and Sibtain consider how the project intersects with their personal and professional lives. During this conversation, they discuss three important take-home messages from those who participated in this podcast series. These messages connect to the themes of autonomy, commitmen
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers - Episode 7
Everyone has their own perspectiveIn this episode, you’ll meet Suzanne, a retired teacher who – along with several siblings – provides care to her mother. As co-hosts Katie and Sibtain ask questions about the experience of sharing the caregiving responsibilities within a large family, Suzanne reflects openly on how everyone – including her mother – has their own perspective! "We are very luck
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers - Episode 6
Some friends become familyIn this episode, Rina shares wisdom from decades of experience supporting a close friend whose physical and cognitive function is changing. She keeps things grounded as she narrates the specific and creative ways she contributes to her friend’s quality of life. When it comes down to it, Rina’s story is about treating others as we’d like to be treated, and about prioritizi
The physician's role in Long-Term Care: a conversation with physician Dr. Sandy Shamon
Dr. Sandy Shamon is a physician and medical director working in long-term care, and a palliative care consultant at Sinai Health in Toronto, Ontario, Dr. Shamon is interested in improving quality of care in long-term care, through research and her advocacy role with the Ontario long-term care clinicians organization, where she works to champion system reform and education to enhance the quality of
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers - Episode 5
Caregiving is just what I doIn this episode, Sheila, a Nehiyaw (Cree) woman from Treaty 6 Territory, explains how she supports an adult son living with an acquired brain injury and a genetic syndrome. While co-hosts Katie and Sibtain prepare for this exchange, Sheila explains the meaning of their tobacco offering. As Sheila describes how her son navigates his health conditions and how she supports
A conversation with palliative pain and symptom management consultants: Jen Logan and Kim Rogers
Jen Logan has been nursing for 25 years and has worked in palliative care in many capacities, including community nursing care coordination for a palliative care team. In her current role as a palliative pain and symptom management consultant, she is also an advanced care planning regional champion, which allows her to build the capacity of frontline care providers in advanced care planning and th
The Serious Illness Conversation Guide in professional practice: a conversation with clinical nurse specialist Gita Rafiee and physician Dr. Nick Petropolis
Gita Rafiee is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Fraser Health in British Columbia, and a clinical Instructor at Vancouver community college. She has extensive experience in several clinical settings, including Acute care, Assisted Living and Long-Term Care, and she works with students, patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to promote patient health and well-being and quality of life.Nick
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers - Episode 4
When the going gets tough, the tough get goingIn this episode, Darrel looks back on pivotal moments in his caregiving journey, including the moment he first realized his mother’s cognitive health was changing, and the moment he realized how hard it was for his father to be his mother’s sole caregiver. He shares what inspired him to step into a role as their primary family caregiver, and how this s
A family's experience with long-term care: a conversation with teacher and family member Sandra Chow
Sandra Chow is a recently retired teacher and program consultant who worked for 30 years with the Waterloo and Hamilton boards of education. She has continued her learning in retirement with courses from the university of Toronto, continuing studies in mindfulness informed end of life care. She also recently became involved with the community of practice for strengthening a palliative approach in
Advocating for a better long-term care system: a conversation with Palliative Care Physician Dr. Amit Arya
Dr. Amit Arya is a palliative care physician who works in hospital, home care, and long-term care facilities, and is also a professor at the University of Toronto and McMaster University. He's currently the palliative care lead at Kensington Health in Toronto, and also works at the Freeman Centre for Palliative Care at North York General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. He holds multiple lead
The role of the personal support worker in long-term care: a conversation with Personal Support worker Jackie McDonald
Jackie McDonald recently retired after being a Personal Support Worker for the past 27 years. She has worked in both community and long-term care settings in Thunder Bay, and she was the PSW lead for the Quality Palliative Care in Long-Term Care project at Lakehead University from 2004 to 2009. Through this project, Jackie has help to develop many initiatives pertaining to bettering the quality of
Education and research for nurses in long-term care: a conversation with Professor and researcher Dr. Patricia Strachan
Dr. Patricia Strachan is an associate professor in the School of Nursing at McMaster University. Her clinical background is in emergency intensive care and adult medical surgical nursing. Dr. Strachan's research interests have evolved as she works to understand how we talk with patients living with advanced heart failure about their illness and its implications. Her focus in education and re
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers - Episode 3
A self-styled approach to disability supportIn this episode, you’ll meet sisters Krysta and Kayley. In addition to being a family member, Krysta also works as Kayley's full-time caregiver. Using an open and humorous approach, the two share what it's been like to self-style their caregiving relationship. In doing so, they illustrate how important it is for care to run both ways. This lead
Advocating for nurses and personal support workers in long-term care: a conversation with Nurse and Educator Laura Bulmer
Laura Bulmer is a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Education who has extensive palliative care experience. As full- time faculty in a Toronto college, Laura has taught in the nursing and Personal Support Worker programs for over 2 decades. She is the recipient of an RNAO Best Practice Award for her work in palliative care including the My Story and Can We Talk project.Laura’s passions include a
Strengthening a palliative approach in long-term care: a Conversation with Professor Dr. Mary Lou Kelley
Since 1972, researcher Mary Lou Kelley has been engaged in gerontology and palliative care practice, teaching and research. She has made major contributions to research in long-term care, and rural and First Nations communities, using participatory, community development approaches to empower and support community members and front line workers. Her research has led to changes that have improved
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers - Episode 2
Keeping family close while living at a distanceMarlene shares her experience of keeping family close while living at distance. She explains how long-distance caregivers stay actively involved in coordinating care, describes the feelings that arise from not being physically present all the time, and offers listeners ideas for bridging the distance. “We have a standing date - every Thursday we visit
Special Series: Cup of Care- conversations with family caregivers: Episode 1
Join co-hosts Katie Ottley and Sibtain Ali for a series of conversations with Canadian family caregivers. As guests Marlene, Kayley, Krysta, Sheila, Suzanne, Rina, and Darrel share powerful life lessons on caring from near and far, Katie and Sibtain realise that no two families are alike and that there is much to be learned from hearing each other’s stories.Katherine (Katie) Ottley is a doctoral s
