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
The Nurse Practitioner's role in palliative care: a conversation with NP Jennifer Burgess
"Nurse Practitioners are well positioned to help residents and families navigate their life limiting illness. We have the knowledge and skillset to provide their primary medical care, their maintenance therapies, and the treatment of chronic illness flareups. I think the value add is that we can also integrate this approach and philosophy throughout the continuum of care."
Nurse Practitioners play a significant role in long-term care, but many homes do not have one on the team. We spoke with Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Burgess about the role and how NPs can support other team members by modelling conversations, and how they are part of a holistic effort to integrate a palliative approach in long-term care.
Jennifer Burgess is a primary healthcare nurse practitioner who has been caring for older adults and within the long-term care sector for 20 years. She has been a direct care provider as a charge nurse and educator, a collaborator with community partners, and is now a nurse practitioner. For the past 10 years, she has been fortunate to have many wonderful mentors in palliative care that initially sparked her interest in helping those who are approaching end of life and who are at the end of life.
Learn more about the Strengthening a Palliative Approach to Long-Term Care project at: https://spaltc.ca/
