Including Diverse Perspectives

In Ontario I am concerned that we need to change our approach to the Health Care Consent Act. I believe that it is unsafe for those with disabilities and culturally unsafe.

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Students Who Are Caregivers: What Post-Secondary Institutions Need to Know (2017)

1.9 million Canadians are young carers who fall under ages 15-29. The caregiving role is normally associated with older cohorts and young caregivers are often hidden within their communities. This report highlights key considerations for post-secondary institutions in support of young caregivers such as the impact of this role and ways faculty and staff can help. This is a supportive starting point for Compassionate Communities initiatives that are looking to engage with post-secondary institutions.

Watchdog calls for 'compassionate' parole as prison system adopts new assisted death policy - CBC News (2018)

Introduction of a policy to carry out MAiD for inmates raised questions (i.e. the setting of the procedure, ease of access and timeliness) with the goal to maintain inmates' dignity. Advocacy for a more compassionate approach towards elderly and dying inmates is a key consideration for Compassionate Communities initiatives working with imprisoned populations.
Article link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/terminally-ill-inmates-csc-zinger-maid…

The Canadian Press also released an article providing insight on addressing end-of-life care needs for elderly inmates.
Click here to read the full article, "Prisons not meeting health, end-of-life needs of older inmates, report says" (2019): https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9199815-prisons-not-meeting-health-e…

Check out this great resources to support LGBT who are dealing with terminal illness. While this group is in the UK, the knowledge can be applicable here as well.

Marie Curie, a UK based palliative care organization provide knowledge on issues that effect individuals who identify as LGBT, as well as guidelines and resources to support them at end of life.

Link to their site: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/professionals/palliative-care-knowledge-z…

Title: Staying out of the closet: LGBT older adults' hopes and fears in considering end-of-life (2018)

This article provides insight on perspectives of Canadian LGBT older adults and their experiences on ageing and end of life. The knowledge from this study reiterates that sexual orientation and gender identity are determinants of health through evidence end of life care barriers.

Strengthening social environments and supports through initiatives that encourage diversity and inclusion within Compassionate Communities is a way to begin breaking the stigma and associated barriers for these populations.

Title: “Just too busy living in the moment and surviving”: barriers to accessing health care
for structurally vulnerable populations at end-of-life (2019)

This article looks at the structurally vulnerable population and access to care when dealing with a terminal illness and dying. This population can include people who are dealing with poverty and homelessness for example.

The papers highlights some key realities for this population such as:
*Limited access to care  - for example, heath care professional who do home visit may not visit a group home or shelter as it is viewed as unsafe for them due to smoking, drug use and other factors.

*"busy living in the moment and surviving" - one participant pointed out that they are often busy looking for food, money, shelter first, before looking after their health.

This sentence from the discussion I think sums up the findings and reason for us to be inclusive of all populations perspectives within our community - "Those who do not fit into the average palliative patient population for whom palliative care programs and policies are currently built, will face significant barriers in accessing quality EOL care"

Title: Why It’s Important to Bring Faith Communities and Clinicians Together (2017)

This article will increase your understanding of why including individuals' religious beliefs when addressing end of life and palliative care needs is beneficial for communities-health care providers and patients. Religious and spiritual beliefs are key perspectives when working with people of faith as they guide the type of care and support important to them. 
Through a physician's engagement with a patient of faith and their community faith leader, this article provides a great example of how incorporating religious beliefs leads to patient-centred care and better quality of life and allows healthcare providers to be mindful and respectful of their wishes.

For access to article and video of the physician's interview, follow the link: http://www.ihi.org/communities/blogs/why-it-s-important-to-bring-faith-…