Adopting a Palliative Approach with Dr. Sammy Winemaker

The Empathy Exchange: Empowering Staff and Families in Seniors' Care

In today’s episode, we talk about The P Word, a topic we don’t typically like to even think about, never mind plan for.

My guest, Dr. Sammy Winemaker shares her experience, knowledge and insights with her compassionate, approachable and pragmatic style, which has been likened to as a Mr. Rogers kind of approach to care.

Let’s face it, death is a reality, and when we have a loved one living in seniors’ care, it can be difficult to face. Yet knowledge is power for both the staff providing care, and the family going through this emotional journey.

This is a conversation that will help you think about the palliative approach with a bit more optimism and hope.

About Dr. Samantha Winemaker

Dr. Samantha Winemaker is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, in the Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University.

She teaches palliative care to health care professionals. She won the Ontario College of Family Physicians Award of Excellence in 2010, the Elizabeth J. Latimer Prize in Palliative Care in 2018, and the Dr. S. Lawrence Librach Award for Palliative Medicine in the Community in 2019.

Dr. Sammy is the author, with Dr. Hsien Seow of Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 keys for navigating a life changing diagnosis and a founder of The Waiting Room Revolution.

You can find out more here:

https://twitter.com/SammyWinemaker

https://www.instagram.com/sammy.winemaker/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.sammywinemaker

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-winemaker-01ba21163/?originalSubdomain=ca

Summary of Questions from this episode

Questions staff can ask families

How about we talk about the illness that landed your loved one here at our front door.

How much do you understand about the circumstances or the health challenges that your loved one has that required them to come to long-term care? Let’s talk about that.

Whats your understanding of your loved one’s illness?

What’s your understanding of the decline you were seeing at home or the increase in their needs?

Did you understand how that connected with their underlying illness or illnesses?

Did you ever ask anyone before you came here?

What to expect going forward with this particular condition?

What did they tell you?

And if they hadn’t discussed that with you, is that something that you would like to talk about today because it can really help you, give you a roadmap.

You can find out more about me and the work I do at DeborahBakti.com or email me at [e-mail]. I’d love to hear from you!