Supporting Informal End-of-Life Caregivers in British Columbia

There is an increasing desire amongst Canada’s elderly to be supported to die at home. Families are vital in ensuring this, yet policies focused on end-of-life care do not address how to meet their needs. This study explores why informal family caregivers in British Columbia have inadequate access to end-of-life care resources, and proposes solutions to address problematic issues. A discourse analysis of provincial end-of-life policies, case studies of practice within the local health area of Vancouver-City Centre, and interviews with informal caregivers identified key problem areas. Four policy options for government consideration were designed and evaluated: increasing the availability and extent of publicly funded formal home support; providing a single point of contact; increasing the frequency and reach of family meetings; and creating local, community-based services. Providing a single point of contact for families and seniors, such as a patient navigator, is recommended as one approach to better assist informal caregivers in providing end-of-life care at home.