PACE for PSWs

Online education designed specifically for PSWs/HCAs/CCA

Online education designed specifically for PSWs/HCAs/CCA, produced in partnership with Life and Death Matters, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario and Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.

Courses are written with you in mind, to support you to provide palliative care and integrate a palliative approach in practice.

Check out the course listings below!

Improve your skills and caregiving abilities

Flexible Learning Options with PACE for PSWs

Ten interactive online courses that are 1.5 to 2 hours each.
Build your skills and abilities with creative learning activities, knowledge checks and reflective exercises.
Complete each course at your own PACE!
BONUS! You’re invited to monthly hosted webinars, exploring current palliative care topics and issues PSWs face in their work. Listen, join the discussion and connect with PSWs in your community and across the country.

PACE for PSWs Program Details

Participants will become more comfortable and confident when providing palliative care for people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Build best practices for providing palliative care.
Develop skills to integrate a palliative approach.
Learn the latest concepts in providing care.
Care for yourself as a vital team member.
Earn a National Palliative Care Education Certificate.

“I don’t know what to say” Preparing to care, communicate and connect
Integrating a palliative approach to support people to live as they die
‘Being with’ and ‘ways of being”: Boundaries and the family dance
Supporting physical comfort: Part 1 – Principles, medications, standardized tools, and supporting a person experiencing pain
Supporting physical comfort: Part 2 – Supporting a person experiencing dyspnea, delirium, anorexia and cachexia, nausea and vomiting.
Supporting psychosocial needs: Part 1
Supporting psychosocial needs: Part 2 – Loss and grief
Supporting during last days and following death
Caring for self while you care for others
Supporting cultural safety

Integrating a Palliative Approach

PSW/HCAs are acknowledged as vital members of the team, providing a palliative approach in the community, residential and long-term care. Learn about your role as a PSW/HCA in providing care, and communicating information when integrating a palliative approach. Guest speaker: Elizabeth Causton, MSW.

Communication Strategies with Elizabeth Causton

Guest speaker, Elizabeth Causton, (MSW, Palliative care counselor), shares information about recognizing and avoiding roadblocks to communication when providing palliative and end-of-life care. Elizabeth is passionate about providing psychosocial care and preparing caregivers to support people. Her presentations illuminate common issues in communication and provide practical solutions.

Palliative Care and End of Life Journey

“I don’t know what to say” Life and Death Matters is pleased to announce the launch of the online education program for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) / Health Care Assistants (HCAs). The first course in the online program for PSWs is titled, “I don’t know what to say”: Preparing to care, communicate, and connect. In this webinar, Elizabeth Causton discusses the concept of “a good death, a bad death” and ways to support an appropriate death for that person.

Acknowledgements

The PACE for PSWs program was developed through a partnership between The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario and Life and Death Matters. Program made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada and the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem (The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada). Special thanks to St Elizabeth Health Care for their content, advice and expertise on cultural safety and indigenous awareness.