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Supportive (Palliative Care) and Advanced Cancer

On this page you will find resources to help support you in your journey with advanced cancer.

What is Supportive (Palliative) Care?

The AYA supportive care clinic can be involved at any stage of of an individual’s disease — whether they are pursuing a cure, managing advanced disease, or nearing end of life. The AYA supportive care team consists of specialized oncology palliative care nurses, AYA-focused palliative care physicians, and an AYA psychiatrist. This team works together to provide comprehensive symptom management, advanced care planning, coping support, and connection to hospital and community services.

How can the Supportive Care Clinic help me?

Think of the supportive care team as an added layer of support to help you navigate your disease journey. This team will be able to help you in many ways:

  • Symptom management: Improve your quality of life by assessing and treating symptoms such as pain, decreased appetite, nausea/vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, shortness of breath, issues with sleep, depression and anxiety, among others.
  • Advanced care planning: This is a process of reflecting on, communicating, and documenting your preferences for medical treatments and end-of-life care. It gives you the opportunity to take time to consider your values, goals, and wishes, especially in case you are ever unable to make decisions for yourself. By sharing your preferences with your loved ones and healthcare providers, you can ensure that your care aligns with your goals and that your wishes are respected.
  • Connecting with hospital and community resources and services: These services may include occupational and physical therapy, mental health support from the psychosocial oncology team, nutritional counseling, and home care services, such as nursing and personal support workers.

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How can I access the AYA Supportive Care Clinic?

Contact us at aya@uhn.ca if you are interested in learning more.​

Decision Making and Planning

Learning about Decision Making and Planning

  • Advanced Care Planning Canada - Advanced Care Planning Canada provides essential resources to help individuals and families navigate the process of planning for future healthcare decisions. Here individuals can find comprehensive information about advance care planning, including the importance of making their wishes known and how to communicate them effectively. Individuals can access free downloadable resources, such as guides and templates, designed to assist in documenting their preferences and initiating meaningful conversations with loved ones and healthcare providers.
  • Advanced Care Planning Ontario - The Advance Care Planning Ontario website serves as a comprehensive resource for individuals looking to understand and engage in advance care planning. It offers valuable information on the importance of discussing and documenting healthcare preferences, guidance on how to start these conversations, and tools to help individuals make informed decisions about their care.

Decision Making and Planning Workbooks

Cost-free Resources
  • Advanced Care Planning Ontario Workbook (PDF) - My Advanced Care Planning Guide is a downloadable PDF document/resource helping individuals learn about Advanced Care Planning and to articulate and probe their wishes, values, and support network/Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM). It shares Advanced Care Planning stories to help individuals build understanding and meaning to their own experiences and helps individuals to shape their values into wishes.
Resources with a Cost
  • Five Wishes - The Five Wishes program provides a simple, customizable document for individuals to express their personal, medical, legal, and spiritual wishes. It covers personal, medical, spiritual, and legal wishes, helping ensure your family and caregivers know your preferences. Digital copies are available for $15 USD. Printable copy for $5 USD. Please note; this is an American document- notarization is not applicable in Canada.
  • Voicing my Choices - Voicing my Choices is a resource designed to help young people with serious illnesses communicate their preferences regarding comfort, support, treatment, and how they want to be remembered. Based on the Five Wishes advance directive, it provides a structured guide for these important conversations. Digital/Printable copy available for $5 USD.

Symptom Management

  • Cancer Care Ontario - The Cancer Care Ontario Symptom Management website offers practical information on managing various symptoms associated with cancer. Users can access free downloadable guides that cover topics like pain management, nausea, fatigue, and emotional support, empowering them to improve their quality of life and communicate effectively with their healthcare teams.
  • Wellspring Symptom Management - Wellspring provides both online and in-person symptom management programming to support individuals living with cancer. Their resources include personalized symptom management education, emotional support, and practical strategies to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms like pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Their programs offer hands-on support in a welcoming, community-based setting, while their online resources allow individuals to access information and tools from the comfort of their homes.

Grief/Coping

Legacy Creation/Memory Making

  • Hospice Waterloo Region Legacy Activities - Hospice Waterloo Region offers a variety of suggested activities for patients and families, such as creating scrapbooks, compiling photo albums, writing poems or songs, planting trees, or even creating an "ethical will". In addition, it provides resources and books to guide individuals in creating legacy activities and messages, helping people express their core values and life experiences for future generations.
  • Ever Loved Legacy Project Ideas - The Ever Loved Legacy offers "10+ Legacy Project Ideas" which are various suggestions for creating meaningful projects that leave a personal legacy. These ideas range from tangible projects like creating a recipe box or legacy quilt to intangible ones like writing legacy letters or starting a charitable foundation. The webpage emphasizes the importance of legacy projects for sharing personal history, values, and memories, and offers practical examples.

End-of-Life Care Facilities

End-of-Life/palliative care can be received at a hospital within a palliative care unit, hospice, or within your home with home care supports in place, depending on individual preferences/goals. Please speak to your healthcare team for more information about receiving end-of-life/palliative care at home.

Palliative Care Units - Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Toronto Central Healthline provides information about inpatient hospice palliative care services in the Toronto Central region, focusing on specialized 24/7 care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. These services are designed to manage symptoms, offer comfort, and provide support during the final months of life. Speak to your healthcare team for more information and/or referrals to palliative care units within your area.

Hospices – Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Below is a list of regional hospices. Speak to your healthcare team for more information and/or referrals to these centres.

Hospices

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https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Education/Continuing_Education_Programs/Pages/continuing_education_programs.aspx
Last reviewed: 12/10/2024
Last modified: 12/11/2024 10:43 AM
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