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Why Palliative Care?

Palliative Care – the Care Gap

You probably assume that when someone you love nears the end of life that they will receive all the care necessary. But the sad reality is that there is a critical shortage of end-of-life care. This means terminally-ill patients – and their loved ones – are not getting the care and support they need and deserve – and ultimately we all suffer. The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association estimates that only 2 to 3 out of every 10 Canadians that require hospice palliative care actually receive it. 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.

As the general population ages, it is estimated that the demand for palliative care services will soar over the next 40 years. Today, on average, over 250,000 Canadians pass away each year and approximately 62 percent (about 160,000) require access to palliative care support. The projected rate of death is to increase by 33% by 2020 - that’s only 10 years away! That’s another 70,000 people per year who may need access to end-of-life care.

Palliative Care - the Untold Health Care Story

The Ontario Health Council reports that one third of Ontarians live with one or more chronic diseases in their lifetime and almost 80% of adults over 65 have at least one chronic disease. Chronic diseases result in 70% of all deaths.

Since government funding has not increased proportionally to the aging population, there is a gap in the number of institutionally-based palliative beds, and the need for palliative care services is ever rising. This results in financial burdens on family and caregivers. Due to the dedicated hours required to care for a dying loved one (around 54 hours weekly), 64% of families cannot afford to set aside this time to care for their ill relative. Family and caregivers admit that they require time away from the responsibility of caring for a loved one and find it very stressful. Canadians living in rural areas or those with disabilities have an even harder time receiving access to palliative care support for families.

Caregivers Trying to Fill the Care Gap

Currently, Canada has over 200 palliative care practitioners who are working full or part time providing palliative care services. Due to the recognized growing need to provide palliative care, 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. This brings the topic of in-home palliative care to the table as more and more people are trying to take on the responsibility of caring for their dying loved ones. There is a shortage of home care workers in most areas and the cumulating 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 a caregiver. The bulk of funds donated to hospice and palliative care programs are received from private donors and a limited amount from government dollars, which limits the size and scope of the programs offered.

You Can Help Fill the Care Gap

Help fill the care gap by making a donation today to the Healing Cycle Foundation:

• General Donation
• In Memory Donation
• Kids4Kids Donation (a special program where healthy kids help kids living out the last days of their lives)

You can also sign up to participate in the 6th annual Healing Cycle ride, June 27, 2010, which raises funds for the new palliative care centre at Credit Valley Hospital.

Get involved by becoming a volunteer or consider sponsoring the Healing Cycle Foundation.

100% of all donations are given to the Palliative Care Centre at Credit Valley Hospital

The Healing Cycle Foundation has raised $630,000 of a $1 million pledge to the palliative care centre at Credit Valley Hospital. Giving 100% of all donations directly to a cause is very rare in the fundraising sector and it is a testament to the effectiveness of the Healing Cycle Foundation’s business model: the Foundation is run by volunteers and overhead costs are covered by corporate sponsors and rider registration fees.