Acknowledging National Pain Awareness Week - Central West Ontario Health Team

Did you know that 8 million people in Canada live with pain?

National Pain Awareness Week marks a time to raise awareness of chronic pain and its impacts.

Chronic pain is common in many conditions, ranging from cancer to arthritis, as well as many invisible or undiagnosed illnesses. Many illnesses causing chronic pain are not widely recognized, leaving some people without care.

This can also include pain experienced day to day and/or be a part of palliative care.

When chronic pain is complicated by poverty, poor mental health, substance abuse or trauma, it can further limit a person’s ability to access health care.

What supports are available for those living with pain?

Health Canada’s Action Plan for Pain in Canada seeks to increase pain research in Canada, a step towards helping Canadians living with pain.

In the Central West region, there are supports available to help those living with chronic pain, including:

The Dorothy Ley Hospice

The Dorothy Ley Hospice is a partner organization of the Central West Ontario Health Team. A volunteer-based community service organization, they offer compassionate care to people living with the challenges of a life-limiting illness or loss.

They offer care for people with serious illnesses, provided in-home or in-hospice. They also offer services for families and caregivers coping with seeing loved ones in pain, care in-residence for end of life, and care for people living with grief and loss.

The Dorothy Ley Hospice has supported 1,164 individuals with care in their home, 2,804 people have been impacted by their service, and 87% have said they are better able to cope with grief, according to data based on their 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Palliative and End-of-Life Care – Central West

There are a number of valuable resources available on the Central West Healthline website for those living with pain, including:

To learn more about Pain Awareness Week, click here.