The Empathy Exchange: Adopting a Palliative Approach with Dr. Sammy Winemaker

In today’s episode, we talk about The P Word, a topic we don’t typically like to even think about, never mind plan for. 

My guest, Dr. Sammy Winemaker shares her experience, knowledge and insights with her compassionate, approachable and pragmatic style, which has been likened to as a Mr. Rogers kind of approach to care. 

Let’s face it, death is a reality, and when we have a loved one living in seniors’ care, it can be difficult to face. Yet knowledge is power for both the staff providing care, and the family going through this emotional journey.

This is a conversation that will help you think about the palliative approach with a bit more optimism and hope. 

About Dr. Samantha Winemaker

Dr. Samantha Winemaker is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, in the Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University. 

She teaches palliative care to health care professionals. She won the Ontario College of Family Physicians Award of Excellence in 2010, the Elizabeth J. Latimer Prize in Palliative Care in 2018, and the Dr. S. Lawrence Librach  Award for Palliative Medicine in the Community in 2019.

Dr. Sammy is the author, with Dr. Hsien Seow of Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 keys for navigating a life changing diagnosis and a founder of The Waiting Room Revolution.

You can find out more here:

https://twitter.com/SammyWinemaker

https://www.instagram.com/sammy.winemaker/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.sammywinemaker

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-winemaker-01ba21163/?originalSubdomain=ca

Summary of Questions from this episode

Questions staff can ask families 

How about we talk about the illness that landed your loved one here at our front door.

How much do you understand about the circumstances or the health challenges that your loved one has that required them to come to long-term care? Let’s talk about that.

Whats your understanding of your loved one’s illness?

What’s your understanding of the decline you were seeing at home or the increase in their needs?

Did you understand how that connected with their underlying illness or illnesses?

Did you ever ask anyone before you came here?

What to expect going forward with this particular condition?

What did they tell you?

And if they hadn’t discussed that with you, is that something that you would like to talk about today because it can really help you, give you a roadmap.

You can find out more about me and the work I do at DeborahBakti.com or email me at [e-mail]. I’d love to hear from you!

What is The Relational Approach: In Seniors' Care?

Let’s face it – Senior's Care is a complex business that provides a much-needed service to residents and families during a tough chapter in their lives. The beginning of this key relationship can be filled with anxiety, stress and worry and yet, there is a better way to bring residents, families and staff together.

Staff and leadership of Senior Care Facilities need an incredible amount of support when it comes to managing residents/seniors and their family relationships. This podcast will provide a framework and open up discussions around The Relational Approach™.

The Relational Approach™ System is a practical and easy-to-use framework for leaders and staff in Senior Care Homes to build stronger connections with families. It’s based on three guiding principles that focus on trust, respect, and working together as partners in care. The system also helps raise awareness of six common relational roadblocks that can cause tension. Once these roadblocks are identified, simple strategies can be used to close the gaps.

This process guides staff from learning and understanding to fully integrating and transforming their relationships with families. As a result, it reduces friction, frustration, and stress, allowing teams to avoid problems before they escalate. The goal is to move away from a transactional approach and create a more relational, empathetic, and human connection between staff and families.

Join host Deborah Bakti – a former executive in seniors care for 11 years, and a family member three times over, with her dad, mom, and husband all having lived as residents. She’s seen what it’s like on both sides.

In each episode, we'll explore both the family and staff perspectives, shedding light on the emotions, expectations, and sometimes the disappointments that arise from the friction in these relationships. Through heartfelt conversations, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the diverse perspectives that shape senior care environments.

Tune in to gain valuable insights, and cultivate a better approach. Together, let's create a community where understanding thrives and where the journey of aging is met with compassion and empathy.