"Much Of Our Work Isn't About Fixing; It's About Being There": Perspectives of Inner-City Workers on Meanings of Caregiving at the End-of-Life
| dc.contributor.author | Simper, Elly | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-05-08T14:18:09Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-05-08T14:18:09Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Caregiving is a cornerstone of Canada’s healthcare system, yet research predominantly centers on familial caregivers, overlooking the experiences of non-familial caregivers who support structurally vulnerable populations. This arts-based qualitative study explores the experiences of inner-city workers (ICWs) who provide end-of-life care to individuals facing poverty, homelessness, social isolation, and substance use in Victoria, BC. Through a zine-making workshop, six ICWs shared their insights, reflecting on the emotional, ethical, and systemic challenges of caregiving within contexts of profound inequity. Findings highlight that caregiving in these settings extends beyond conventional notions of support—often centering on presence, advocacy, and relationship-building rather than traditional medicalized interventions. Participants underscored the emotional toll of their work, the limitations of existing healthcare structures, and the urgent need for better recognition and support. By amplifying the voices of ICWs, this study contributes to a broader understanding of caregiving beyond family roles and calls for policies and practices that better support those who provide essential care to marginalized populations. | |
| dc.description.reviewstatus | Reviewed | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Undergraduate | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA) | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22189 | |
| dc.publisher | University of Victoria | |
| dc.subject | caregiving | |
| dc.subject | palliative care | |
| dc.subject | inner-city workers | |
| dc.subject | marginalized communities | |
| dc.title | "Much Of Our Work Isn't About Fixing; It's About Being There": Perspectives of Inner-City Workers on Meanings of Caregiving at the End-of-Life | |
| dc.type | Poster |