Workers need to know the palliative care options that are available in their local community in order to support access for people who are homeless with life-limiting or chronic diseases. These options can be found by searching on-line or by connecting with people in their community.

Online search strategies: The internet can be a useful tool to find out more about the different palliative care options available in the local community and the organizations that offer end-of-life or palliative care services.

When searching on-line for palliative care options available for people who are homeless in the community, think of Who, What, and Where.

Who offers palliative care services?

• LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) or Regional Health Authority
• Hospitals
• Home care
• Hospices
• General practitioners
• Palliative care specialists
• Nurses
• Personal Support Workers (PSWs)
• Spiritual care providers
• Social care workers
• Physiotherapists
• Local organizations that specialize in palliative care for homeless population (e.g. PEACH, CAMPP, PORT)

What are the principles of palliative care?

• Focus on the goals of the person receiving care (What are their care goals for treating or managing an illness? What end-of-life goals do they have?) Let these guide decisions.
• Inform and educate the person and their friends/family they have chosen to involve about what palliative care is, what services are offered, and when and where they can access those services
• Prevent symptoms that can be prevented
• Manage pain and other symptoms through individualized comfort measures, including medication when necessary
• Live as well as possible in four areas: physically, psychologically, spiritually and socially

Where are palliative care services offered in some local communities?

• Sometimes,
  • any place the person considers “home”, including shelters and on the streets
• More usually,
  • In long-term care homes,
  • In hospices,
  • In hospitals

Some key terms that could be used in an online search to help find the palliative care treatment options available in a local area:

• Hospice
• Palliative care services
• Home care palliative
• End-of-life care
• Palliative hospital
• Palliative options
• Dying at home
• Supportive care
• Advance care planning
• Chronic illness support

Other search options: One way to find out what palliative services are offered is to connect the person to a local doctor, a hospital care team or palliative care team or even a work colleague.