PALLIATIVE MANITOBA
Continued from page 14
“
“Our volunteers are well trained in talking with families and being a resource for what the person might need in terms of extra support.” People who are in the palliative care program will refer individuals, he adds. “A social worker or nurse refers them to us and our volunteer co-ordinator sets up a match,” he says. Part of Palliative Manitoba’s role is to challenge death denial by encouraging those conversations, says Wayne Sandler: “Let’s talk about it. Let’s plan for it. Let’s understand it, and that way we become a healthier society.”
“That could include choosing a health- care proxy or a power of attorney, depending on their situation.” Sandler says the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has a workbook available on the web to help guide people. And it can be found at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Advance Care Planning (https:// wrha.mb.ca/advance-care-planning). The next step is communicating decisions. “Make sure everybody knows what the plan is, who is doing what and how people are going to enact that,” he says. It’s important to get a plan on paper so there is no ambiguity. “Sometimes people will use a lawyer and have plans notarized so that it’s clear that it’s authorized by the person. Health-care directives that you can find online can be notarized as well.” A person outside the family can be a help if family members are struggling with the process. Palliative Manitoba has trained volunteer supports.
Make sure everybody knows what the plan is, who is doing what and how people are going to enact that.”
— Wayne Sandler, community outreach and education co-ordinator at Palliative Manitoba
“Sometimes you might have a person that’s getting support from us but the spouse or the family is objecting to the idea that the person is in palliative care,” he says.
Available supports and information can be found at: Canadian Hospice Care Association: chpca.ca Canadian Virtual Hospice: virtualhospice.ca Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Advance Care Planning:
https://wrha.mb.ca/advance-care-planning/ Palliative Manitoba: palliativemanitoba.ca
Manitoba 15
Powered by FlippingBook