THUNDER BAY - A life-limiting illness can be devastating for an individual and family members, but a new palliative care initiative is now connecting people with the services they need to achieve the best quality of life possible during such difficult circumstances.
Palliative Carelink is a new collaborative program in the city consisting of physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to implement an early approach to palliative care.
“We aim to follow the client and the family throughout their journey and in different care centres,” said Melora Serediuk, a nurse navigator for Palliative Carelink.
“We advocate for what’s best for them and make sure they have what they need to maintain a good quality of life while they are struggling with their illness.”
Life-limiting illnesses are defined as incurable diseases and the program does not only offer services to seniors or people requiring end of life care.
“Even though certain diseases might be delivering some kind of treatment, it’s more to prolong life, it’s not something that can be cured,” Serediuk said. “People are struggling with a disease that has no cure and don’t necessarily want invasive treatment and their main priority is quality of life.”
Palliative Carelink connects clients and families with the services that are available in the city.
“Palliative Care Link is meant to connect the already existing good services Thunder Bay has to offer,” Serediuk said.
“But often clients and families don’t know which services to ask for in different stages of their journey. We are there to keep the whole circle of care communicating with each other and acting on what’s best for the client so they know where to go to for help with the different service providers.”
This is the first program of its kind in Thunder Bay and the NorWest Community Health Centre is the host site.
Other partners include Hospice Northwest, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, St Joseph’s Care Group, Home & Community Care/Ontario Health North, and the Palliative Physician group of Thunder Bay.
“Our team used research and proven practices to guide the development of Palliative Carelink. The model of care has been adapted to our community and bridges existing support and services,” said Tricia Jordan, manager of Palliative Carelink.
"We have heard from individuals in the past that supporting a family member with life-limiting illness could be made much easier with increased coordination of supports and care. A wrap around approach with help to navigate the journey from diagnosis to death is the overall intent of Palliative Carelink.”
Since it launched in May, 24 clients have already registered. To register, visit the Pallative Carelink website.
