End-of-Life Care Challenges - The industry faces a significant gap between the desire for documented end-of-life wishes (96%) and the actual completion of advanced care directives (17%) [2] - Approximately 60% of Canadians died in hospitals in 2022, highlighting the medicalization of death [4] - Current systems, institutions, and cultural norms contribute to a lack of death literacy, shielding individuals from the realities of death and dying [10] - Hospital environments often amplify stress for grieving families, underscoring the need for spaces designed for grief and ritual [13][14] Redesigning End-of-Life Care - The industry needs to shift from fearing death to embracing it through open conversations and acceptance [12] - Redesigning hospital experiences with community kitchens, sunlight, and family spaces can provide acts of care during difficult moments [16] - End-of-life care should prioritize dignity, autonomy, compassionate communication, and spiritual/emotional support [21][22] - Integrating artists and music therapists can bring creativity and meaning to the dying process and aid in grief processing [23][24] Future of End-of-Life Care - The industry should recognize that end-of-life care extends beyond hospitals and healthcare systems, requiring community involvement [24] - Future models should incorporate grief workers, social support, and death doulas, shifting the focus from individual patients to include their families, communities, and spirits [25] - Calls to action include talking about death early and often, designing care with dignity and beauty, planning for individualized care, and bringing community back into dying [26][27][28]