Palliative Care Everywhere: Dementia Care, Access and the Gaps We Must Close
Monday, September 28, 2026
3:00 PM EST | 12:00 PM PST
50-minute podcast
This episode of Palliative Care Everywhere, featuring Dr. Daphna Grossman, explores why dementia should be approached as a palliative diagnosis across all stages of the illness and what is needed to ensure people living with dementia have equitable access to high-quality, person-centred care.
Drawing on Canadian and international research, the discussion explores the terminal trajectory of dementia, the benefits of earlier integration of palliative care, and the evolving needs of individuals and families across the cognitive spectrum. The episode also highlights the important role of personal support workers (PSWs) and other frontline staff in providing compassionate, supportive care.
The conversation examines structural, cultural, and geographic barriers to accessing dementia-related palliative care, with particular attention to the experiences of rural, remote, newcomer, and Indigenous communities. Connecting with World Alzheimer’s Day and national and international dementia priorities, the episode concludes with practical calls to action focused on equity, compassion, and earlier integration of palliative approaches.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this episode, participants will be able to:
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Understand why dementia is considered a palliative diagnosis and how early integration of palliative care can support quality of life.
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Recognize structural, cultural, and geographic barriers that affect equitable access to dementia-related palliative care.
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Apply evidence-informed strategies to support comfort, communication, and decision-making throughout the dementia trajectory.
About the Speaker
Dr. Daphna Grossman has more than 30 years of experience in family medicine, specializing in palliative care across urban and rural communities, as well as home, hospital, and long-term care settings.
She has mentored local, national, and international learners, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in family medicine and palliative care. Dr. Grossman has received several teaching awards and currently serves as Wellness Lead for the palliative care residency and fellowship program at the University of Toronto. She also co-leads Canada’s Community of Practice for Palliative Care in Advanced Non-Malignant Diseases (PCAND).
Her academic work focuses on improving access to quality palliative care, advancing person-centred and person-concordant care, promoting serious illness conversations, and strengthening collaborative care for people living with complex non-cancer illnesses.
Register for the Webinar here!
