Palliative Care is a type of health care that focuses on a philosophy of care that aims to provide comfort and quality of life for individuals and families facing a life-limiting non-curative illness.  Palliative Care does not take place within four walls - services and support are provided for people where they are living: hospitals, personal care homes and in your own home by a variety of caregivers including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, home care workers, volunteers, pastoral care, families and friends.  Palliative Care helps individuals to achieve the best possible quality of life right up until end of life.

Components of this program include:

• Pain and symptom management
• Interdisciplinary team approach
• Volunteer services
• Grief and bereavement support
• Information services
• Education, Research, Resource Library
• Community care and involvement
• Care-giver support
• Links with other programs/services
• Resources for comfort care (e.g. specialized equipment)

Palliative Care Program Brochure

Palliative Care Registration Form

After death happens - a resource guide, created by our staff as a resource for families who have experienced a death

PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM

Volunteers are part of the multi-disciplinary health care team who provide support to people and their family care-givers living with a life-limiting illness or persons nearing the end-of-life. Volunteers also dedicate time to help with program administrative tasks including the Palliative Care Memory Trees. Companion Volunteers have completed the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Volunteer Training or equivalent, fulfilled a screening process and are involved in ongoing events and education. For current training courses please see our Training/Education Opportunities page under Palliative Care.

IERHA PALLIATIVE CARE MEMORY TREES

During the season when so much focus is on family, it can be difficult for people who are grieving to feel like celebrating.

HELPFUL LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES

mygrief.ca

Canadian Virtual Hospice 

Family Caregivers

Family Caregiving for People at the End of Life - A useful resource for caregivers coping with the stress associated with caring for a loved one.

Grief Support Links:

Dementia & Staff Grief​

Grief Support

Living My Culture:  Helping to honour your culture, spirituality & traditions. People from various cultures share their stories & wisdom about living with serious illness, end of life and grief to support others.

Children's Grief 

Kids Grieve too Palliative Manitoba

Virtual Hospice Kids Grief Resources

Financial Support Information Links:

Compassionate Care Benefits are Employment Insurance benefits paid to people who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill and who has a significant risk of death within 26 weeks (6 months).  A maximum of 26 weeks of compassionate care benefits may be paid to eligible people. Click here for more information on Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides disability benefits to people who have made enough contributions to the CPP and who are disabled and cannot work at any job on a regular basis.  Benefits may also be available to the dependent children.  Click here for more information on CPP disability benefits.

Survivor Benefits under the Canada Pension Plan may be available to the estate and to survivors of the deceased.  There are 3 kinds of survivor benefits:  surviving spouse's pension, orphan's benefits, and death benefits.  Application for these benefits should be made as soon as possible.  If not made within a year of death, there may be a loss of benefits.  For more information, contact Canada Pension Plan toll-free at 1-800-277-9914 or click the link below to be redirected to their website.  https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp.html 

Financial Assistance Programs offered by the Government of Canada - The Government of Canada offers and administers several funding programs available to Canadians caring for critically-ill family member or require additional assistance following the death of a loved one.  For information or an application package, please contact a Service Canada Centre or click here. 

Additional Information Regarding Palliative/ End-of-Life Care Resources/Options - Government of Canada site


Advanced Care Planning Links:

Advanced Care Planning Workbook - with thanks to Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Manitoba Health Care Directive Information and Manitoba Health Care Directive Form


Mental Health Support Links:

Mental Health Resource Guide for Winnipeg - This online guide includes some self-assessment resources for depression and anxiety, and offers a comprehensive menu of support and treatment options in Winnipeg including self-help options through to crisis services.  Education and support groups for families are also included.  The province-wide telephone bereavement support line is included.

Palliative Manitoba - Palliative Manitoba is another resource for individuals, families and caregivers, who provide programs, services, education and information.

The Canadian Mental Health Association - This website has information and resources about stress and mental challenges - both general information and specific information related to grief.

The Canadian Association of Psychology - An online fact sheet is available with information on psychological distress and coping with advanced illnesses/ end of life, and discusses psychological treatment and support.