
Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care
Individuals in long-term care (LTC) who are reaching end-of-life have unique physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual needs. A palliative approach to care ensures these needs are being met in a compassionate way that enhances the quality of life, limits suffering and provides needed comfort.
This podcast explores the palliative approach to long-term care through conversations with patients, health care professionals, family members, researchers and others who want to improve how we care for people in long-term care.
Production of these podcasts has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
Selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 15 Long Term Care Podcasts on ond one of the "20 Best Nursing Home Podcasts" lists for 2024!
Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care
Social programs for people with dementia: a conversation with Green Care Farms founder Rebekah Churchyard
A Green Care farm is a combination of agricultural activities and a population that could benefit from time in the outdoors. Green Care Farms CEO and Founder Rebekah Churchyard provides outdoor day programs for people with dementia, connecting them with nature on a farm in Milton, Ontario. The program includes planning and planting sensory gardens, and growing food for the local food. She says that research shows that these types of programs can result in a delay in admission to long-term care, while building psycho-social wellbeing.
Rebekah holds a Master of Social Work in Gerontology, and works in Specialized Geriatric Services. Rebekah is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Psychotherapist. She relocated from Toronto back to Kitchener-Waterloo in 2020 on a mission to start Green Care Farms Inc.! In Toronto she gained extensive volunteer experience in charitable board governance and in municipal policy.
Rebekah served as President and Vice-President with the Toronto Council on Aging Board of Directors and as an Accountability Table member with the City of Toronto’s Seniors Strategy.
Learn more about the Strengthening a Palliative Approach to Long-Term Care project at: https://spaltc.ca/