The Role of Ethics in Long-Term Specialist Palliative Care

Title: The Role of Ethics in Long-Term Care: Specialist Palliative Care in a Changing Landscape of Resident Needs

Abstract:

Long-term care (LTC) homes increasingly serve as the final residence for frail older adults living with chronic, life-limiting illnesses. Yet these settings remain under-resourced for both palliative care and ethics consultation. This seminar, co-led by faculty in palliative care and bioethics, explores how ethical reasoning and palliative care practice intersect in the LTC context and their role in providing quality patient care.

Drawing on recent clinical cases, we will examine common ethical challenges in the delivery of palliative care in LTC, specifically related to advance care planning and code status discussions. Through case-based discussion, we will illustrate how values-based frameworks can foster collaborative and compassionate decision-making among residents, substitute decision makers, and care teams.

Participants will gain insight into how ethics consultation can enhance palliative approaches to care in LTC, the impact of systemic inequities and resource limitations, and practical strategies for bridging the gap between acute care and LTC settings.

Presenters:

Karen Faith BSW, MEd, MSc. Bioethicist (retired)

Karen Faith completed an MHSc in Bioethics through the Institute of Health Sciences and the Joint Centre for Bioethics following a 22 year career in social work. After completing a Clinical Ethics Fellowship, she joined Sunnybrook Health Science Centre taking a lead role in developing their ethics program. While on staff, Karen contributed to the JCB’s ‘Ethical Framework for Pandemic Planning’ as well as the ‘Clinical Ethics Summer Institute’. Upon leaving Sunnybrook, Karen devoted her consultation and ethics education skills in support of community-based health care that included an education role with the Ontario College of Family Physicians on-line communities of practice.

Karen was instrumental in the early development of MAiDHouse where she served as Vice-Chair of the Board. She continues as a Tutorial Facilitator for The Temerty Faculty of Medicine ethics program, and remains committed to promoting compassionate quality end of life care.

Zahra Hasan, MHSC, BSc

Ethicist, North York General, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Zahra Hasan is an Ethicist at North York General Hospital in partnership with the Health Ethics Alliance at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She holds a Master of Health Sciences in Bioethics degree from the University of Toronto and the Joint Centre for Bioethics, and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo. Zahra brings specific expertise in mental health ethics and ethics program evaluation through her work at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Zahra is passionate about increasing ethics service user engagement and has extensive experience collaborating with patients, caregivers, clinical and non-clinical staff, and senior leadership to inform people-centred ethics program delivery. Central to her research, teaching, and practice, Zahra applies a trauma-informed lens to her healthcare ethics practice to promote equitable access to compassionate care for structurally, historically, and persistently marginalized communities.

Dr. Amit Arya, MD, CCFP (PC), FCFP

Medical Lead, North York Congregate Access and Support Team, North York General and Medical Director, Specialist Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Outreach Team, Kensington Health

Dr. Amit Arya is a Palliative Care Physician and recognized leader in long-term care, dedicated to improving care for older adults through clinical innovation, education, and research. He currently serves as Medical Director of the Specialist Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Outreach Team at Kensington Health, providing specialized palliative care services at Kensington Gardens and supporting long-term care homes across the region. Previously, he was Medical Lead of the North York Congregate Access and Support Team (NY CAST), where he led the development of an innovative interprofessional model of care that improved outcomes for long-term care residents and strengthened staff capacity.

A passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Dr. Arya has co-developed widely used provincial education initiatives focused on cultural humility, belonging, and quality improvement in palliative care, in partnership with Ontario CLRI and Pallium Canada. An active academic physician and national leader, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, advises on health policy and system reform, and frequently speaks at provincial, national, and international conferences. His leadership has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2025 Dr. S. Lawrence Librach Award and the Toronto Star’s Changemaker Award.

Additional Details:

Join us on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 · 4:00 – 6:00 PM EST

Online via Zoom

Registered participants will receive the event link by email on the day of the event.

Questions?

Please email JCB, [email protected].