Supporting the patient, and their loved ones, in Palliative Care

In palliative care, both the patient and their loved one’s needs are at the centre of the care team’s approach. 

"We approach what our client may need through a family-centered lens. It's not just about supporting the individual; it's about supporting the entire family unit as they navigate through difficult times."

From facilitating family meetings and grief counselling to coordinating transportation and supporting patients with income and employment paperwork, Koneczny provides comprehensive care.  

Koneczny explained that she spends a lot of time with both patients and their loved ones, supporting them through the grief and the myriad of ways it manifests. She can spend her day following up with family members after the death of a loved one or navigating both the patient and their loved one through the anticipatory grieving process.

“Sometimes we're fortunate to follow people for a fairly long time, and through their journey, they – and their loved ones - experience many small losses as the illness changes.”

She continued, "Palliative care patients are slowly saying goodbye to parts of themselves as they navigate a life-limiting illness. Through my role, I help them find meaning and purpose in this transition."

Navigating anticipatory grief, Koneczny explained, often comes coupled with anxiety, and existential questions. The support she provides is individualized for each patient or loved one. 

"We try to meet people where they're at in their mental journey alongside their physical one," she says. "Whether it's exploring emotions, addressing practical concerns, or facilitating difficult conversations, our goal is to provide personalized support tailored to each person's needs."

Through her care, Koneczny offers an alternative perspective to end-of-life. She shared that society often celebrates pregnancy and birth with the anticipatory process of sharing hopes and dreams for the new life and that end-of-life can be honoured in a similar way through legacy work.

“Legacy work can provide deep meaning and purpose to a person and their dying process and capture the essence of the patient’s life and the special way they want to live on,” said Koneczny. This may be through recordings, storytelling, or partnership with our colleagues in music therapy or volunteers in hospice.”

“There is something emotionally beautiful about being trusted to go on this journey with our patients.”

National Hospice Palliative Care Week runs May 5-11.