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Healing Beyond the Body
Caring to the End of Life lends support, resources
A new web-based palliative care initiative provides needed resources for patients, caregivers and health care professionals. The initiative, Caring to the End of Life at www.caringtotheend.ca, was made possible by a gift from an anonymous donor to Princess Margaret Hospital.
The Patient Education Program led the initiative as part of its vision to empower patients through education innovation.
The website offers tips on managing pain, symptoms and emotional issues related to terminal illness. It also provides information about community resources across the Greater Toronto Area, such as where to find hospices and grief support services.
Patients can create a personal care journal online to keep track of information about their symptoms and needs for review with their treatment team. The tool is especially useful for patients who are too ill to travel from home to hospital as their disease progresses.
Caring to the End of Life is the newest addition to the hospital's palliative services, which integrate all aspects of care – mind, body and soul – under the umbrella of “Healing Beyond the Body.”
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Tauba Spiro and Heather Hardie, PMH manager of volunteer services who coordinates Music in the Atrium, celebrate the tenth year of the program. Over the years, more than 180 musicians – emerging and well known – have performed. |
Gift of music keeps giving
Acclaimed Canadian tenor Michael Burgess gave his tenth annual performance at Princess Margaret Hospital as part of the hospital's weekly Music in the Atrium series. Mr. Burgess, the performer who launched the program, appeared with his long-time accompanist Doug Riley.
Music in the Atrium is the gift of Tauba and Solomon Spiro and their children. At least one family member tries to attend each and every performance.
“The fact that this program has continued for 10 years is really meaningful to us,” she says. “Something magical happens in the hospital when the music begins.”
Dr. Gary Rodin, head of psychosocial oncology and palliative care, agrees: “We all look forward to Wednesdays when the music wafts upward, providing comfort, pleasure and stimulation to everyone in the building. This program is a unique and valued part of our philosophy of care at PMH –- what we call healing beyond the body – which includes the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients, family and staff.”
At the performance, Mrs. Spiro and numerous volunteers – from the AV technician to the piano tuner – who have donated their time and talents over the years were recognized for their commitment to the success of this exceptional program.
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