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CCMB's Patient & Family  Newsletter

Related Reading Download CCMB's "Demystifying Palliative Care: Commonly Asked Questions and Answers" (130 KB)

Palliative Care is an area in which misconceptions or misunderstandings are common. It is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-threatening illness that is usually at an advanced stage.

The goal of palliative care is comfort and dignity for the person living with the illness as well as the best quality of life for both this person and his or her family. An important objective of palliative care is relief of pain and other symptoms (see also: the Pain and Symptom Clinic).

The Canadian Palliative Care Association recommends learning about palliative care at the time of diagnosis or when a prognosis is confirmed. This allows for time to think and talk about options and choices, to consult with loved ones and make plans, which will support you through the course of your illness. Palliative care services which involve pain management, symptom control, respite and caregiver support help to improve your quality of life and that of those close to you. Please visit the Living Lessons web site.

The WRHA coordinates the Palliative Care Programs in Winnipeg. Outside the city, each Regional Health Authority has a Palliative Care Coordinator. For more information, and for referrals to these services, speak to your nurse or contact us as (204) 787-2109.

In an effort to help people better understand the concept of palliative care, and how to access resources, public forums entitled "Demystifying Palliative Care" are held in Winnipeg. We recognize that this is an area of medicine around which misconceptions or misunderstandings are common and our public forum seeks to help people better understand this aspect of cancer treatment.

The meetings follow a simple format. A physician usually makes a few introductory remarks about some of the common myths associated with palliative are. Those in attendance are then invited to ask questions of any of the presenters. The last 30 minutes are a "mingle and snack" time, allowing you the opportunity to approach the presenters individually, in case you have questions or comments which you were not comfortable to bring up in the larger group.

You may find it very helpful to download the document in the box to the right entitled "Demystifying Palliative Care: Commonly Asked Questions & Answers", which is based on these forums. For more information on Palliative Care, visit the Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba web site.