Wednesday, January 15, 2025 End of Life CARE Providing palliative care is a calling that requires compassion, admiration, respect, and enthusiasm Blogs Locals Local 303 Newsletters National Sectors Health Care By Reynante Trinidad, Local 303 Board Member and Steward I am a healthcare technician (HCT) employed by the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) in London. Together with my coworkers, we work with palliative patients, providing care for them in their homes. As healthcare providers, we embrace our calling to care for vulnerable individuals, particularly those at the end of life. Despite the challenges of entering unfamiliar environments, we strive to connect with our patients as much as possible. Setting aside our differences and preferences, we do our best to provide the highest quality of care. Our patients deserve the best care, regardless of their behaviour, personality, background, or how their families treat us. Sometimes, our efforts to connect may not succeed, but our patients’ care needs will continue. While it’s easy to connect with some patients, others may be more challenging. In our pursuit of providing the best care, it’s essential to maintain a positive mindset. We view challenges as opportunities for personal growth and learning daily to serve our patients better. Under the guidance of our directing registered nurse, who works remotely with us, we aim to create a serene and supportive environment. This collaborative approach respects our clients’ wishes and ensures their comfort at the end of their lives. Our commitment to this goal requires deep compassion, respect, admiration, and enthusiasm—qualities that play a crucial role for each of us in enhancing their quality of life and ensuring they experience the utmost comfort and dignity during their final stages. We provide not only physical support but also emotional and psychological assistance, recognizing the unique needs of each individual and their loved ones. We honour their life stories and commit to enriching their remaining moments, truly enhancing their journey. Many family members I’ve met say, “It takes a special person to do this profession.” Compassion is essential in our work, especially when we consider that we meet many of our patients during some of their most challenging and painful moments. Their illnesses often influence their behaviour and emotional state, leading to fear, confusion, and vulnerability. Recognizing and acknowledging these struggles is essential as they can significantly impact how individuals express themselves and interact with us. It’s these emotional challenges that make our work so important and impactful. In our role, we provide care and support and strive to approach each situation with deep empathy and understanding. By embracing our calling with genuine compassion, we create a safe space where patients feel valued and understood, ultimately fostering healing and trust in the therapeutic relationship. Admiration for the patient helps them feel accepted for who they are. When they realize we are genuinely interested in building a connection based on esteem for them as a person, not just fulfilling a job, this strengthens the therapeutic relationship. Respect for the boundaries of each patient and their families in providing care is essential, even if families tend to be overprotective or controlling. They are deeply concerned about their loved ones, and each one handles difficult situations differently. By listening to and collaborating with patients, we make their day more meaningful while managing our responsibilities more effectively. This respect for patient boundaries ensures we provide the best care possible. Enthusiasm to engage means being willing to care for patients with a positive attitude, like we are spending time with someone significant who is going through a tough time. It involves showing up with a smile, energy, and genuine engagement that reflects our eagerness to be there and committing to everyday improvement in all we do, embodying excellence. I hope that sharing some of the values we uphold as we CARE for our patients will inspire and motivate you at work, in your life, and with your family. You might be interested in Liftsafe Engineering Employees Overwhelmingly Ratify New Agreement 11 Feb 2025 School Bus Drivers In Fort Nelson, BC, Unanimously Ratify New Contract 11 Feb 2025 The Cooperative Advantage 11 Feb 2025 BC NDP Needs to Walk the Talk on Canadian Solidarity 10 Feb 2025