To relieve suffering and improve the quality of life
Hospice palliative care is a philosophy of care and services which help relieve suffering and improve quality of life for people with a life-limiting illness. Hospice palliative care does not hasten or delay death. Hospice palliative care is about access to the best possible quality of life at the end of life.
Whether you are at home, in hospital, a hospice bed or a residential care facility your health care team will provide:
Care to help relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, insomnia
Information on services and care options, legal and financial matters
Teaching for families on how to provide or assist with care
Emotional support
Referrals to available services, such as volunteers or counseling
Hospice palliative care is one of the many Home and Community Care services we offer.
What services are available?
People who choose hospice palliative care have made the decision with their doctor and family to move away from getting better to palliative, or comfort care. Medical intervention is for symptom management, including pain control.
The type of hospice palliative care services you can receive varies with your needs and the stage of your illness. It can be provided wherever you are. Services include:
People often wish to spend as much time as possible at home, which may include remaining at home until death. If this is your desire, we will work with you and your family to help make the necessary arrangements.
Planning ahead is helpful in supporting your decision to stay at home. This includes thinking about advance care planning, options around having a natural planned home death (if so desired) and informing people of your wishes as you move towards the end of your life.
Am I eligible?
You must meet Home and Community care eligibility requirements to receive services. To receive hospice palliative care services, you must:
Have a life-threatening illness or be facing end of life issues
Have a life expectancy of weeks or months rather than years
Understand the primary goal of care/treatment is quality of life, not cure of disease
Agree to the referral or to consultative support
Is there a cost?
Most services are covered by the BC Medical Services Plan or the BC Palliative Care Benefits Program.
Eligible home support services are provided free of charge, however, there may be some additional charges for certain services such as per diem costs in hospice residences.
Visit the Home and Community Care costs page for more information.
How do I access these services?
You can access this service through your local Home & Community Care office. Learn more about accessing these services.