Empowering Compassionate Care: Southwest District Palliative Care’s Mission

By Kelly Ashford

Established in 1997, Southwest District Palliative Care (SWDPC) serves the towns of Stonewall and Teulon, and the municipalities of Rockwood, Rosser, Woodlands and Armstrong. SWDPC prides itself on providing care and support for individuals facing life-limiting, and life-threatening illness, from diagnosis through to end-of-life, and beyond, to grief resolution for families after a loved one’s passing. At the heart of this palliative continuum is the philosophy that every person facing life-threatening illness deserves comprehensive support tailored to their unique circumstances, and it is this strong foundation on which the SWDPC team have implemented Nav-CARE (Navigation: Connecting, Advocating, Resourcing, Engaging). The Nav-CARE program aims to improve quality of life for older adults by offering personalized navigation services, education, and advocacy. It empowers individuals enabling them to maintain their independence and to make choices about healthcare that align with their values and preferences.

A Growing Landscape

Doris Hunter and Betty Taylor (long time Board Members for SWDPC) have witnessed the phenomenal success and impact that SWDPC has had. With this success has come the challenge of serving an ever-expanding community that is spread across a vast geographical area, but this just fuels the motivation that these formidable individuals, or the ‘dynamic duo’ as Gwen Sharp (SWDPC Nav-CARE Volunteer Coordinator) refers to them, and their team have. The implementation of Nav-CARE has enabled them to ‘bridge the gap’ notes Betty, by training volunteers across different geographical areas so that the program can serve rural and remote communities, as well as the larger towns. In doing so, SWDPC has been able to reach individuals that have limited access to healthcare provision and has provided them with support and companionship.

Surprising Benefits

Even though the Nav-CARE program is relatively new to SWDPC, it has already been making a huge impact for those living alone, but Gwen has also observed a more surprising outcome. She comments how even when individuals have daily family support, those individuals can often still feel alone or that they are a burden. With the introduction of a Nav-CARE volunteer, Gwen has seen some remarkable changes in these people, “it’s the excitement of having someone new come in…it’s a new conversation. It’s not family, it’s just someone to be there for tea or coffee, or go for a walk or, you know, share an activity”. Gwen notes how they seem more invigorated and how they convey that some of the feelings around burden have been lifted.

The Importance of Education – What does ‘palliative’ mean?

In addition to providing exceptional care and support, SWDPC recognizes the importance of educating the public about palliative care and its’ benefits. Many people still associate palliative care with end-of life, overlooking its broader scope in enhancing quality of life for individuals with serious illness at any stage. As Betty noted, “I wish the public would understand more or would talk more about palliative care. And I don’t mean dying, that’s part of it, but I mean palliative, because you can have palliative in all stages. I think we look at palliative with a sort of fear. We don’t want to talk about it, because if we talk about it, it might happen”. Betty went on to say that if the public were more open about illnesses and needs, it would be beneficial for the whole community. By fostering awareness and understanding in the community, SWDPC aims to dispel misconceptions and promote informed decision-making among clients, families, and communities. In doing so, they strive to empower individuals to proactively seek palliative care in a timely manner as part of their healthcare journey.

Positive Moments

As a result of this community education, SWDPC have not only been able to support a greater number of individuals, they have also received support and recognition themselves, which is crucial for the non-profit organization. Many more people are recognizing the profound impact of the palliative care that a loved one has received and their donations towards advancement after the passing of their cherished family member or friend, are cultivating a community where support and empathy extend beyond life’s final moments. For those individuals involved in the delivery of the SWDPC programs, while the donations are important, the reward surpasses any monetary value, for these people the recognition comes from the difference they are making, as Doris so eloquently puts it, “they [the older persons and communities they are working with] are just so happy, and that is all the thankyou you ever need, is- is to see their faces”.

A Final Thought

As SWDPC grow their Nav-CARE program, and reach numerous individuals and communities, their tireless efforts and passion embody the contribution that we see in palliative care providers across the country, both volunteers and professionals alike, who serve as pillars of strength and comfort in the lives of those navigating life’s most challenging moments. They remind us of the difference we can make as we embrace a compassionate community approach to healthcare.