De-mystifying Palliative Care: Myths, Realities, and
the Promotion of Whole-Person Care
Palliative care is often misunderstood, with many believing it is only for the final days of life or exclusively for cancer patients. In reality, palliative care is a holistic approach that enhances quality of life for persons and families facing serious, life-limiting illnesses at any age.
On Friday, March 14, 2025, between 10 AM-noon, join us as we welcome Anita Mehta and Cynthia Lapointe from the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care, a branch of the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence in Kirkland, for an engaging session that will challenge about a dozen common myths on palliative care while providing key information on the Quebec and Canadian landscape related to it. The session will also touch on the accessibility gap—with too few Canadians having access to palliative care—and what can be done to promote the services collaboratively.
This event will be particularly valuable for community members, caregivers, and volunteers seeking to deepen their understanding of palliative care’s philosophy, benefits, and role in symptom management, psychological support, and whole-person care. Through evidence-based insights, engaging videos and real-world data, attendees will gain a clearer picture of how palliative care can be integrated early in a person’s journey, offering relief from pain and distress while affirming life. The session will also connect these discussions to the ESCC’s 2024-2027 Strategic Roadmap, helping to build actionable next steps for improving palliative care awareness and promoting accessibility and interdisciplinarity within it.
Time for questions-and-exchanges with our speakers is foreseen, along with time for networking and meaningful discussions among participants.
Attendees will be invited to share feedback through a brief survey to help shape the ESCC’s future initiatives in end-of-life accompaniment / whole person care. Do not miss this unique opportunity to learn, engage, and contribute!
Register by March 12, 2025, by contacting Aroha Cheema, via escc@catholiccouncil.ca
Photo Credit: Photo taken from the presentation of Anita Mehta and Cynthia Lapointe.