Resources for Professionals
Algoma Palliative Care Map
End-of-life support for families & physicians
Why?
When?
Improves quality of life
Reduces unnecessary hospital admissions
Can be given anywhere, by any care provider
Helps relieve all forms of suffering
Would you be surprised if your patient
died in the next year?
...No?
Use Map
PPS 100%-70%
12-6 months
Diagnosis
Disease progression.
Repeated hospital or ED visits/admissions
Issues or complications with polypharmacy
Primary care provider intuition or instinct
Actions
-
Explain expected course of illness, discuss goals of care, healthcare consent & outcomes
-
Consider palliative referral, outreach & consult for symptom management
Video clip that shows methods & practices
PPS 60%-40%
6-3 months
Transition
Symptom burden increase.
Reduced independence & increased symptom burden due to life-limiting illness
General reduction in ambulation & intake
Actions
-
Discussion on the location of death & referral to hospice
-
Consider home care services & the possibility of home visits
-
Symptom Relief Kit in the home
PPS 30%-0%
3-0 months
End-of-life
Decline & final weeks.
High probability of death within 90 days
Concern maybe expressed regarding ability to support patient at home with increased needs
Actions
-
Advocate for increased home visits
-
Explain caregiver burnout, as well as anticipatory grief & emotional care
-
Consider volunteer visiting program & third party organization support
-
Advocate for hospice admission
Canadian Virtual Hospice
GOV
GOV
What to do following a death
GOV
GOV
What to do following a death
A practical guide for family members & caregivers