Understanding Palliative Care

Palliative care is often misunderstood, yet it plays an important role in supporting quality of life for people living with serious illness and those who care for them. In this Conversations with Leaders event, Dr. James Downar and Louise Hanvey explored what palliative care is, addressed common myths and misconceptions, and discussed the different types of care and supports available in Ottawa and beyond. Together, they reflected on how palliative care can support people in hospitals, hospices, and at home, while also highlighting current research and emerging conversations shaping the future of care.