Most people receive palliative and end-of-life care from their family and friends. Sometimes you may need or choose extra support from a palliative and end-of-life care team. Team members work with you to find out what’s important to you and what you’ve decided for your
goals of care. You, your family, and other caregivers can work with the palliative and end-of-life care team to make choices about the types of care that are right for you and meet your goals and wishes.
A palliative and end-of-life care team has different members depending on what you and your family need. Your team could include:
Family Doctors
Working within the community, family doctors provide medical care to individuals and families. From prevention care to palliative care, family doctors provide medical care for people of all ages and life stages. You can find family doctors in many acute and chronic care settings like primary care clinics, emergency care, home and community care, hospitals, and maternity and newborn care. Some family doctors specialize in specific types of care such as sports medicine, care of seniors (geriatric care), or palliative and end-of-life care.
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses (RNs) provide care and treatments based on your needs. They help plan and evaluate the care you may need, like wound care. RNs work in hospitals, hospices, continuing care homes, and in people's homes. They may have special training, education, and expertise in palliative and end-of-life care. RNs work with Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and other healthcare providers to plan and set up your care.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses who have both clinical and medical skills to help look after you through assessments and provide treatments. NPs also prescribe medications, order and interpret lab or diagnostic image tests, and do procedures that you may need.
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical nurse specialists are advance practice nurses who have advanced clinical knowledge in an area of healthcare to assess and guide you with your illness, including decision making and caregiver support.
Palliative Care Consultants
Palliative care consultants are physicians, NPs and RNs with special training in palliative care. They help your family physician to treat pain, nausea, shortness of breath and plan your care. They can visit you at home, in any continuing care home, in the hospital, or in a hospice.
Find a palliative doctor in your zone.
Social Workers
Social Workers connect you and your family with resources and services to help with the personal and social problems of life-limiting illness and disability. These issues such as financial problems, grief before and after a loss, and funeral services may come up during an illness, the time close to death or at death, and during bereavement. Social Workers help you and your family talk about your goals and hopes and help with support services when you are discharged to go home, to a hospice, or hospital.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Practitioners (Paramedics)
Paramedics provide emergency medical care in the community. They may be called to your home during a palliative emergency. Paramedics can also provide routine assessment or treatments in your home. If needed, they can transport you to a hospital. This is called the EMS Palliative and End-of-Life Care Assess, Treat, and Refer program. The program is designed to keep you comfortable where you live and out of the hospital as much as possible.
Spiritual Care Workers
Spiritual care providers offer emotional and spiritual support and counselling to help you and your family deal with illness, grief, and loss. Spiritual care and counselling is confidential, inclusive, respectful, and compassionate. Spiritual care providers can help you understand what’s important to you, help you cope. They can also help you and your family find meaning and feel connected during a serious illness. They consider cultures, beliefs, and practices including spiritual and religious backgrounds. Spiritual care providers can also provide religious and spiritual services such as prayers, or end-of-life ceremonies, depending on your wishes or needs.
Volunteers
Volunteers work with your team of healthcare professionals to offer support services. They can be companions for you, help your caregivers, and assist you with daily activities like getting groceries or getting to appointments.
Other Team Members
Depending on your needs, your palliative and end-of-life care team may have other members, such as:
