Understanding Personal Culture in End-of-Life Care

Workshop Description

3-hour interactive virtual session

It’s often said that people want to live fully until they die. What “living” means at the end of life, however, varies greatly and is shaped by each person’s unique personal culture. 

This session explores how personal culture—including but not limited to ethnic and religious traditions—shapes end-of-life preferences. We'll examine how it influences decisions about pain management, daily living, family roles, and what happens after death. We’ll also look at the PSW’s role in supporting these preferences, including how to navigate situations when a client’s choices differ from the worker’s own values or beliefs. 

This workshop will help your staff: 

• what personal culture is and how it may shape a client’s end-of-life preferences 
• how client preferences contribute to a sense of life satisfaction 
• the connection between personal culture and communication 
• how to reflect on and manage personal responses when client choices are unfamiliar or personally challenging 

Who Should Attend

Enhanced workshops are intended for PSWs who have some foundational knowledge, through prior training or on-the-job experience, and some familiarity with the client population. While not suited for those who are brand new to the role, there is some flexibility to accommodate learners at different levels of experience or expertise.