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2012 Healing Cycle Ride Links
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Why Hospice Palliative Care?The Care GapYou probably assume that when someone you love nears end of life they will receive the necessary care. The sad reality is that there is a critical shortage of end-of-life care. Most terminally-ill patients and their loved ones are not getting the care and support they need and deserve. It is estimated that only 3 out of every 10 Canadians that require hospice palliative care actually receive this care. And each death in Canada affects the immediate well-being of an average of five other people, or more than 1.25 million Canadians each year. With the general population aging, the demand for hospice palliative care services will substantially increase. Over 240,000 Canadians pass away each year and this is projected to increase to over 325,000 by 2028. Up to 90% of Canadians who pass away could benefit from hospice palliative care. However, hospice palliative care programs are at least 60% funded by charitable donations and families inevitably bear part of the cost of a loved one dying anywhere outside of a hospital. It is clear that there is great need and also a significant gap. CaregiversCurrently, Canada has only approximately 200 palliative care practitioners who are working full or part time providing hospice palliative care services. Due to the recognized growing need, in 2004 the federal government began offering a Compassionate Care Benefit to enable Canadians to care for loved ones at the end of their life. However, the benefit allows for a limited timeline: an 8-week leave, 6 weeks of which will be paid. There is a shortage of home care workers in most areas and the cumulative expense can be costly. The Canadian Home Care Human Resources Study indicates that 65% of family and caregivers work either full time or part time and are under 50 years of age. The lack of funding for palliative care support becomes a critical point as the need increases for trained volunteers or training programs for family and friends who end up as caregivers. How You Can Make a DifferenceHelp ensure that individuals at end of life receive the care and support they need and deserve by making a donation today. 100% of all ride donations go directly to supporting hospice palliative care in Ontario.
You can also sign up to participate on June 24, 2012 in the 8th annual Healing Cycle Ride. Get involved by becoming a Volunteer or consider becoming a Sponsor. |
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