By the late 1990’s, Janet wanted to offer something more to patients as she observed shifts in how people were aging and dying. In 2003 she returned to the University of Calgary and completed her Master’s Degree in Nursing with a focus on Palliative Care and Chronic Illness. In mid 2004 Janet returned to the Calgary Health Region (CHR) and developed the Palliative Care program for the Southern Alberta Renal Program. This was a great opportunity for Janet to utilize her skills of Advance Practice Nursing as she worked with complex, chronically-ill renal patients and their families. She was also instrumental in the creation and introduction of the CHR’s advance care plan program “My Voice.”
With our rapidly aging population and cutbacks in funding for seniors care, Janet could see that her ability to help patients and families would be increasingly challenged. In early 2008 Janet left the CHR to enter private practice, founding Proactive Health Care Advisors, Canada’s first known Advance Care and Parent Care Planning firm. Proactive Health Care Advisors empowers and informs families about loved ones’ wishes and provides choice and flexibility in how and where they age.
Planning in advance of crisis is truly a gift for families; planning removes burden, reduces stress and minimizes family conflict. www.proactivehealthadvisor.com
Janet enjoys many sports and outdoor activities with her husband Andrew, while raising a large blended family and providing support and care for her own aging parents.
