From May 4–10, 2025, Canadians will mark National Hospice Palliative Care Week—a time to recognize the impact of hospice palliative care and the work of healthcare professionals and caregivers across the country. This year’s campaign theme, Palliative Care is For You, is a reminder that this care isn’t just for the final days of life.
Palliative care can support people at any stage of a serious illness, regardless of their prognosis. It helps those living with conditions like cancer, heart disease, dementia, and organ failure. It also supports caregivers, family members, and those who are grieving. Like a guiding star, palliative care helps people navigate the journey of illness—offering care that is compassionate, personalized, and grounded in what matters most.
While medical advancements are increasing life expectancy in Canada, many Canadians still deal with chronic conditions, degenerative diseases and cancer, which can lead to frailty later in life. With the number of deaths expected to increase significantly in the coming years, we need to talk more openly about death and address the need for accessible palliative care across the country.
Statistics from the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) show that 90% of Canadians who die each year die due to chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, organ failure or dementia. However, only a fraction of Canadians have access to palliative care services. In fact, in 2016-2017, only 15% of Canadians who died received publicly funded palliative home care in their last year of life.
What We Want vs. What We Have
A worrisome trend is how much palliative care that is provided in hospitals. In 2018, 62% of Canadians who received palliative care received it in an acute care setting in their last month of life. And even though most people want national standards for palliative care, there’s still a significant gap between what we want and what we have. There’s also a lack of timely access to palliative care in smaller communities, with only 15% of Canadians having access to such services.
Canada’s aging population further amplifies the need for palliative care, as chronic and life-limiting illnesses become more prevalent among older adults. Canadians aged 45 to 74 are more likely to receive palliative care, reflecting the impact of age-related health challenges.
Benefits of Hospice Care
The patient benefits of hospice palliative care are clear: improved quality of life and reduced suffering for people with a life-limiting illness. But the cost benefits are also worth exploring. Studies have shown that timely palliative care consultations can significantly reduce admission costs and healthcare expenditures by making the best use of resources and reducing unnecessary interventions.
However, healthcare professionals still face challenges when it comes to training for palliative care, and many Canadian doctors feel unprepared. Moreover, there’s a need for greater emphasis on advanced care planning to facilitate informed decision-making and ensure that individuals’ end-of-life preferences are respected.
As we observe Palliative Care Week in May 2025, it’s clear just how important our efforts are to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes and prioritize resources for hospice palliative care. By addressing the gaps in access, funding, education and advanced care planning, we can create a more compassionate and equitable approach to end-of-life care for all Canadians.
Thank you to Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association for the following resources:
Understanding the What, When, and Where of Palliative Care
Talking about palliative care can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. To help Canadians better understand what this care involves, a set of easy-to-read, one-page info sheets answer common questions in plain language:
These resources are designed to empower individuals and families with the information they need to make informed decisions about care—wherever they are on their journey.