Overview
Taking a moment to map out the care and existing/potential services you may need during your illness is a helpful exercise. It allows you to see where there are strong relationships already in place and the gaps where care is lacking or would be if one of your key care providers becomes ill themselves or simply needs to take a break. Sharing the care map can also inform others of how important they are in your future plans and spark conversation about when else may be needed.
Care maps
A care map is a simple illustration of all those involved in the care of a patient. It often includes family, friends and healthcare professionals no matter the size of their contribution to the patient's care. The care map is meant to help its user understand the connections between all those involved in the patient's care. Creating a care map is a rather simple process and multiple templates exist that make creating one easier for patients and their caregivers.
Pallium Canada: Care-Map-Toolkit_How-to-Create-a-Care-Map.pdf (pallium.ca)
Alberta Health Services: care-map-template-diagnosis.pdf (albertahealthservices.ca)
Advance care planning
When one enters palliative care, it is essential to plan ahead of time for the possible or inevitable end of the patient's life. This section will direct you to resources meant to aid in that planning process. This ongoing process if for the patient to detail their wishes and instructions for future health-care treatments. It involves several steps including:
THINK about what is important to you and what you understand about your health.
Use the What Matters Most to Me Workbook to help you.
LEARN about your health, medical treatments, and options.
Use Your Guide to Talking with Your Healthcare Team to assist you.
DECIDE who will speak for you when you can’t speak for yourself.
Appoint a proxy by completing page 19 of the My Voice Workbook .
You can appoint a proxy in a stand alone document or as part of a Health Care Directive.
TALK with those close to you and your health-care team.
Use the Conversation Starter Guide to help you.
RECORD your wishes.
Use the My Voice Workbook to create a Health Care Directive
For more information about Advance Care Planning, contact:
Website: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/advance-care-planning
Email: advancecareplanningprgm@saskhealthauthority.ca
Phone: 1-306-766-5922 or 1-833-544-2255
The Conversation Project
The Conversation Project is a public engagement initiative Their goal is simple,
"Our goal is both simple and transformative: to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected."
Their greatest resource are their conversation guides for patients to engage with others in conversations in all domains that concern someone in palliative care. Whether that be community, faith or healthcare there are resources to teach people how to navigate end-of-life planning.
To get the free guides or to get involved: