When: Monday, September 28 at 3pm EST | 12pm PST
Registration at the bottom of the page!
This 50‑minute podcast, with Dr Daphna Grossman, explores why dementia requires a palliative approach across all stages, grounded in evidence from Canadian and international research. The conversation begins by dispelling myths, drawing on Hill et al. (2018) and Mitchell et al. (2009) to show dementia’s terminal trajectory and the benefits of early supportive care. It then examines evolving needs across the cognitive spectrum and highlights the essential role of PSWs and frontline staff. Access inequities are explored through Horrill et al. (2026) and Stajduhar et al. (2020), emphasizing barriers faced by rural, remote, newcomer, and Indigenous communities.
The discussion connects to World Alzheimer’s Day and national priorities identified by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the WHO Global Dementia Action Plan. The episode closes with calls to action inspired by Froggatt et al. (2020) and CHPCA norms, focusing on equity, compassion, and earlier integration of palliative care.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand why dementia is a palliative diagnosis and how early integration improves quality of life.
- Recognize structural, cultural, and geographic barriers affecting equitable access to dementia‑related palliative care.
- Apply evidence‑informed strategies to support comfort, communication, and decision‑making across the dementia trajectory.
Dr. Daphna Grossman has over 30 years of experience in family medicine, specializing in palliative care delivery across urban, rural, in-home, hospital, and long-term care settings.
Daphna has mentored local, national and international learners many of whom have become leaders in family medicine and palliative care. She has earned several teaching awards for her contributions and serves as Wellness Lead for the palliative care residency and fellowship program at the University of Toronto. She also co-leads Canada’s Community of Practice for Palliative Care in Advanced Non-Malignant Diseases (PCAND)
Her academic career has focused on improving access to quality palliative care, enhancing person-centred and person-concordant care through promoting serious illness conversations and improving collaborative care for patients living with complex non-cancer illnesses.
