The PCSBV Bulletin March 2022
Monthly Theme: Palliative Care and Nutrition
Imagine how your relationship with food could change if you, or your loved, is diagnosed with a life- limiting illness. How does it impact food choices, what you buy, your ability to prepare and enjoy food, and family meal traditions. This month we talk the role of nutrition in palliative care with tips and ideas for maintaining a positive relationship with food.
March is national nutrition month . Depending on an individual’s personal circumstances, nutrition month can have a variety of different meanings. For many, nutrition month is a reminder to make healthy food choices to improve eating habits. However, imagine being diagnosed with a life- limiting diagnosis. Nutrition month might mean something entirely different. Why does nutrition matter after receiving this kind of diagnosis? Nutrition is considered a type of health care treatment and informed food choices can have a very significant impact on quality of life. This is the case no matter what stage of life an individual is in. A life-limiting diagnosis comes with many changes to an individual’s lifestyle. From a nutrition perspective, our bodies change drastically when fighting illness or disease. Eating well can be especially difficult when not feeling well. For starters, an individual who has received a life-limiting diagnosis may notice changes in how much food they eat.
Well-established traditions surrounding food may change as well, such as those surrounding mealtimes or specific meal preparations. Despite these changes, it is important to work to maintain a relationship with food, even after receiving a life-limiting diagnosis. Nutrition plays many roles in palliative care. Healthy food choices and a relationship with food can improve quality of life. When dealing with the fear or anxiety that may be associated with a life-limiting diagnosis, making healthy food choices can help both patient and their family feel stronger and cope with stress. Directed nutrition choices can also play an important role in addressing symptoms, for example by minimizing food- related discomfort. In this way, nutrition can also maximize food enjoyment, which contributes to maintaining or improving quality of life. For example, many individuals find that their interest in eating decreases as their diagnosis reaches more advanced stages.An individual’s interest in specific foods may also shift, in addition to when they want to eat.
Source info: Canadian Virtual Hospice Nursing in Practice, Saskatchewan Health Authority, The Geriatric Dietitian
TIPS For Healthy Living with a Life-Limiting Diagnosis
Healthy or inspired living involves making purposeful choices to uplift oneself or others. For example, these choices can relate to who an individual spends time with, or in this case, what an individual chooses to eat. By making a conscientious effort to choose healthy food options, an individual can work to improve their own quality of life as well as that of others around them. Healthy or inspired living can be used to cope with some of the difficulties that arise from a life-limiting diagnosis. As it can be difficult to focus on making nutritious choices when experiencing illness, here are a couple tips to help make informed and healthy food choices
Plan Ahead
Set Yourself Up for Success
A great way to ensure healthy, balanced and budget-friendly meals is to plan ahead. It is much easier to focus on including vegetables, healthy grains and protein in each meal when that meal is planned in advance. Planning ahead ensures that the right groceries are available, which, in turn, reduces waste. In addition, choosing meals can also be turned into a fun family activity. Searching for new recipes or working together to create a weekly menu and shopping list provides opportunities to spend time with loved ones, something that is especially valuable for those with a life-limiting diagnosis.
In order to prepare healthy meals or snacks, it is important to start off with the right ingredients. There are many food staples that can be kept on hand to facilitate healthy choices. Dried or canned beans and lentils can be bought in bulk, making them a cost-friendly protein choice. They can be stored for long periods of time, and can be added to soups, salads or stews. As well, nuts and seeds are also a great source of protein and fiber, can be bought in bulk and can be frozen, making them a great option for a quick and easy snack. Finally, fresh and frozen fruits are another excellent choice to eat as a snack or to add to smoothies or cereals for breakfast.
Making thoughtful choices about healthy eating can improve quality of life and serve as a way to cope with the difficulties of a life-limiting diagnosis. These suggestions support balanced, quick and cost-effective meal choices, which can make a meaningful difference in an individual’s life, no matter what stage of life they are in. Source info: Healthline, The Kitchn
Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley Highlights!
WEEKLY DROP-IN VIRTUAL GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
Walking Groups are a no-cost, drop-in grief conversation group. Walks are open to all who are 18+ who are grieving. The walks last approximately 30 minutes and then end with a guided conversation on the themes of grief and loss. WEEKLY GRIEF SUPPORT WALKS
STARTING MARCH 1st!
March 30, 2022 | 12:00 pm Zarifa Monson, Registered Dietitian Bow Valley Primary Care Network Imagine your relationship with food and how that changes with a new life-limiting illness in your home. Every Tuesday over Zoom from 7pm to 8pm. Email bill.harder@pcsbv.ca to register and receive the Zoom link. PCSBV SPEAKER SERIES
CANMORE WALKING GROUP - INDOOR
Every Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at the Canmore Recreation Centre, 1900-8th Avenue, Canmore. We will meet at the reception desk in the recreation centre.
BANFF WALKING GROUP - INDOOR
Every Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Fenlands Recreation Centre, 100 Mt Norquay Rd #2F, Banff. We will meet at the reception desk
in the recreation centre. For more information, contact Bill at bill.harder@pcsbv.ca
REGISTER TODAY
Marshall Kennedy is a popular, local ukelele musician from Canmore. He and his sons make up the Kennedy Administration Band and you can hear them live on April 30! RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Email dmkennedy11@gmail.com using the code "PCSBV" and more information will be shared closer to the event! "Kennedy Administration" Helps Kick-Off National Hospice Palliative Care Week
For many people, nutrition is a science that guides individuals in making healthy food choices. However, for someone facing a life-limiting diagnosis, nutrition may come to mean more than just making food choices to improve or maintain health. Many people find a lot of enjoyment in eating. However, an individual facing a life-limiting diagnosis may experience changes to their body that prevent them from enjoying food the way they once did. Given that it is still important to maintain a relationship with food, those facing a life-limiting diagnosis may benefit from redefining the way they think about food.
Simple Ways to
Make Meals Enjoyable
Food is much more than a way to stay nourished or healthy. For some, the preparation of food is a type of meditative process. Putting on music and slowly working through a recipe is a great way to connect with food in a new way, one that prioritizes the journey of preparation rather than the outcome of eating. For many individuals, cooking slowly and intentionally is a way to de-stress and can be an excellent tool to help cope with the difficult feelings that come with receiving a life-limiting diagnosis. In this way, preparing food can be a source of comfort and relaxation. As well, coming together with loved ones to prepare a meal is a great way to spend quality time together. When everyone takes responsibility for a different portion of a recipe, preparing a meal becomes a team effort and can be a wonderful way for loved ones to spend time together. Finally, nutrition can also be thought of through the lens of giving. Preparing a meal can be a way of showing love to both ourselves and those around us. An individual who prepares a meal with themselves in mind is prioritizing their wellbeing. As well, an individual who prepares a meal with others in mind can bring great happiness to those around them. While not directly related to the science of nutrition, practicing both self-love and love for others through food preparation are additional ways in which nutrition can be used to improve quality of life.
Source info: Saskatchewan Health Authority
RECIPE FOR HEALTH Cooking for Pal l iative Care This is a recipe you can make wi th someone and make extra. Double the recipe or cook more chicken to freeze for a later date!
Chef’s Tips:
Tailor this recipe to your own taste by
using different vegetables or
remove the beans and peppers for a simpler recipe.
Source: Caregivers Guide Cookbook
S U P P O R T T H E P A L L I A T I V E C A R E S O C I E T Y O F T H E B OW V A L L E Y
It takes financial support from people like you to reach our goals. By the end of March 2022, our goal is to train 20 PCSBV volunteers. In total, our goal is to train and deploy 40-50 volunteers for 2022. To help achieve that goal we are aiming to raise $25,000 in funding to help achieve that goal.
Together with supporters like you we can achieve our goals for better palliative care services and programs to the community in Bow Valley. Please consider making a donation today!
All ways to give:
General Donations are used for programs currently with the greatest need of your financial support. Tributes honour a family member, friend, or loved one. Building donations support creating a residential hospice home accessible to the Bow Valley community. Monthly donations will ensure constant support throughout the years.
Donations of $25 or more will receive a charitable receipt. Here are the ways you can make a donation:
Click on the link >> Donate today! Online at www.pcsbv.ca and click on the “Donate” button. Send a cheque to: Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley, PO Box 40113, Canmore Crossing, Canmore, AB, T1W 3H9 .
For more information contact Kristin Fry, Fund Development at fd@pcsbv.ca or call (403) 707-7633
SAVE THE DATES
NavCare Training – Spring 2022 Advanced Care Planning Day – April 16 National Hospice Palliative Care Week – May 1 to 8 Hike for Hospice - May 1 PCSBV Annual General Meeting - June Golf for Hospice - August 25 National Bereavement Day – November 15
TO SOCIAL WORKERS
The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) is celebrating Social Workers Week March 6–12, 2022. The week raises awareness about social workers and their contributions to the health and wellbeing of patients across the province. Social workers have an important and necessary role in palliative and hospice care. These skilled professionals help patients and families to navigate challenges that arise from a life- limiting illness; such as providing community connection resources, processing end-of-life planning, and helping patients to manage the mental, emotional, familial, and monetary stressors of physical illness.
Reading Resource
The Threshold Between Loss and Revelation
Authors: Rashani Rea and Francis Weller
"The Threshold Between Loss and Revelation infuses our lives with an immediate sense of perspective—deeper than, and beyond, conceptual understanding, inviting us to consider that suffering is an option, not an inevitable, ongoing condition."
The invaluable support and work of social workers deserves recognition!
Give a thanks and a shoutout to a social worker you love and appreciate this month!
IRISH BLESSING "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back." Happy St. Patrick's Day
Video Resource
Ted Talk: Compassion and the true meaning of empathy - Joan Halifax
Joan Halifax talks about what she's learned about empathy and compassion in death working with people at the last stage of life (in hospice and on death row).
Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley
@ Social Media Channels
Facebook: @PalliativeCareBowValley
Twitter: @PCSBowValley
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