Description
A quick, practical guide to help continuing care assistants and personal care assistants care for those living with life-limiting illness.
This mobile-friendly digital handbook provides practical, hands-on guidance every day for continuing care assistants (CCAs) and personal care assistants (PCAs) that can be used throughout their career.
Developed by Pallium Canada and written by leading palliative care experts and frontline health care providers, it blends trusted best practices with real-world experience to help students and experienced CCAs and PCAs handle everyday care situations with confidence and provide compassionate, person-centered support.
Available in four editions to match different regions and roles, the handbook is a reliable resource throughout a CCA and PCAs career. The content is written specifically for the role, respects the scope of practice, and focuses on what CCAs and PCAs can do, what they should watch for, and when to seek assistance. It offers clear steps, examples, and practical tips that can be used during shifts or in learning settings.
Structure
The handbook is organized into three learning pathways, designed to fit the needs and workflow of CCAs and PCAs. This structure allows learners to connect knowledge with real-world situations, helping them understand what to do, why it matters, and how to apply it across different care settings.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Care Journeys
Care Journey 1: Life with serious illness
Care Journey 2: Change in health and abilities
Care Journey 3: Changes in care plan or goals
Care Journey 4: More comfort and support needed
Care Journey 5: End-of-life approaching
Care Journey 6: After death and goodbyes
Care Journey 7: My return and recovery
Care Moments
Care Moment 1: Recognizing change
Care Moment 2: Managing change in illness
Care Moment 3: Providing comfort and symptom support
Care Moment 4: Supporting families and care partners
Care Moment 5: Caring during the final days and hours
Care Moment 6: Supporting grief and bereavement
Care Moment 7: Caring for self and team
Care Skills
Care Skill 1: Bringing a palliative approach to everyday care
Care Skill 2: Communicating with compassion and presence
Care Skill 3: Collaborating with the healthcare team
Care Skill 4: Providing physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort
Care Skill 5: Supporting end-of-life and after-death care
Care Skill 6: Supporting grief, loss, and bereavement
Care Skill 7: Working professionally and caring for myself
Appendix: Advance Care Planning
Appendix: Evolution of Palliative Care Language