Palliative care assessment tools and resources

Resources include:

Advance Care Planning (ACP)

Advance Care Planning is a process of reflection and communication. It is a time for individuals to reflect on their values and wishes and to let loved ones know what kind of health-care they would like to receive in the future.

Did you know:

• 73 per cent of individuals want more information from their health-care provider so that they can plan and begin Advance Care Planning conversations
• 80 per cent feel these conversations should start when they are healthy or when they are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness

The Serious Illness Conversation Guide (PDF) is a tool that can be helpful to health care providers when preparing for and conducting conversations with individuals with life-limiting illness and their families.

There are also several Advance Care Planning resources available. Please refer to Advance Care Planning section for more information.

Pain and symptom management

A palliative approach to care includes effective management of pain and other physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual symptoms.

The following tools may be helpful in supporting the health-care team in effective pain and symptom management:

• BC inter-professional pain and symptom management guidelines (printable)
• BC inter-professional pain and symptom management guidelines (interactive)
• Pallium Pocketbook

End-of-life order sets

• Adult Community Care Sites
• Adult Long Term Care
• Adult Acute Care

If you require additional assistance in ensuring good pain and symptom control, you may also consider a referral to Whole Community Palliative Rounds (WCPR) or to the Palliative Care Consult Service/Pain and Symptom Management Team.

Some clients may also be able to access the Paramedics Providing Palliative Care program.

Community End-of-Life Program

The Community Support Program provides palliative care services in both the home and community clinic setting. Please see palliative care in the community section for more information.

Paramedics providing palliative care

Paramedics Providing Palliative Care is a program within the St. John’s Metro. Trained Paramedics provide clients with urgent pain and symptom management needs in the home.

More information can be found in the brochure,  Paramedics Providing Palliative Care.

Grief and bereavement resources

There are many grief and bereavement services available throughout Eastern Health. Services can include individual and family counselling, two-hour grief and bereavement information sessions, an eight-week grief and bereavement program as well as multiple support groups.

To learn more, visit the Pastoral Care, Ethics and Bereavement webpage.

Provincial Palliative Care Resource Guide

The provincial Palliative Care Resource Guide (PDF), reflects the palliative care services available across Newfoundland and Labrador and provides healthcare professionals the information and contacts needed to support patients and families during their palliative journey.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Clients and families facing life-limiting illness may have questions about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

While not all health-care professionals participate in the MAiD process, they are obligated to ensure that individuals inquiring about MAiD are connected with appropriate resources, information and other health-care providers who can help.

To learn more, visit the MAiD webpage.