Journal of palliative medicine
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To describe prevalence and content of AD documentation among NH residents by dementia stage. ⋯ While dementia severity was associated with greater likelihood of having documented any AD, almost 4 in 10 residents with dementia lacked any AD. Effective outreach may focus efforts on subgroups with lower odds of any AD or living wills, including non-white, less educated, and unmarried NH residents. A greater understanding of how such factors impact care planning will help to address barriers to patient-centered care for this population.
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With the increase in elderly population, life-threatening chronic diseases are increasing, simultaneously increasing the need for palliative care centers (PCCs). ⋯ The results of this study revealed some basic factors that affect LOS in PCCs. However, there may be much variation in the data obtained with the various reasons for which this patient group is admitted to a PCC.
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Effectively engaging Canadians to help improve the quality and delivery of healthcare to dying Canadians is a priority for healthcare administrators and policy makers. This report shares our evaluation and learnings, applying a series of strategies to encourage policy formation. The Palliative Care Matters consensus development conference held in Ottawa on November 7-9, 2016 brought together members of the public, stakeholders, scientific experts, and a lay panel of interested Canadians to examine Canadian public opinions on palliative care and question experts on how palliative care could be enhanced. ⋯ The outcome of the conference was positive. It was attended and watched online by over 400 participants, received national print, radio and television coverage, and generated high exposure and engagement on social media. Survey results showed that the majority of steering committee, expert, and lay panel members felt a high level of engagement and agreed that the engagement process was successful. Evaluation will be conducted on an ongoing basis for at least another year.
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Education, Training, and Mentorship of Caregivers of Canadians Experiencing a Life-Limiting Illness.
Research suggests that caregiver preparedness is essential to minimizing the negative impacts of caregiving. Not being prepared is associated with fear, anxiety, stress, and feelings of insufficiency/uncertainty specific to the caregiver role. ⋯ The palliative navigator approach is a key role in the education, training, and mentorship of caregivers.
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Palliative Care Matters is a national initiative designed to develop consensus on the steps that need to be taken now to ensure Canadians can access high-quality palliative care services as part of Canada's universal healthcare model. Covenant Health and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer joined with leading national health organizations to lead this initiative, resulting in a Consensus Development Conference in November 2016. Six questions were identified by experts in the field to form the basis of the conference. ⋯ Awareness of palliative care is not widespread in Canada, but support for a modest educational public health campaign is prevalent. Canadians also strongly support national palliative care standards and integration into the Canada Health Act, but simultaneously express financial concerns regarding the associated costs required. The public opinion survey results were used as part of the deliberations at the Consensus Development Conference, culminating in a consensus statement being issued to inform potential policy options and implementation plans for palliative care in Canada.