Care for serious illness and end of life that focuses on comfort, relieves symptoms, and helps you live as well as possible.
You must meet BC Ministry of Health eligibility criteria for home and community care, and need palliative, hospice, or end-of-life care. To learn more about eligibility, visit BC's Are You Eligible?
When this service may help
This service may help if you or a loved one:
- have a serious illness and need specialized care
- are nearing the end of life
- are supporting someone who is nearing the end of life
- want care that feels safe and culturally supportive
Care options
Palliative and end-of-life care includes a range of services for dying people of all ages, including children, and their families. Palliative care supports people with a life-limiting illness, their families and caregivers, before, during and after death, and addresses aspects of the illness and death experience that are:
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Physical
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Emotional
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Spiritual
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Psychological
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Practical
- Care at home
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Community Health Services provides a range of services to support people receiving palliative and end of life care at home.
- Hospice care
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Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life, easing symptoms for those living with a life-limiting illness. Hospice care fosters compassion, comfort and dignity to give dying peple and their families the best quality of life.
You may be eligible for hospice care if you have a life-limiting illness and are in your last 3 months of life.
- Acute palliative care units
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In some communities there are specialized palliative care units located in acute care sites. These units support people and their families when symptom management can't be managed safely at home or in hospice.
Your community health team or primary care provider will refer you to the Palliative Consult Team if you need this care.
- Hospice societies
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Local hospice societies are in various communities throughout the region and provide a wide variety of supports alongside your community health services team.
These may include:
- Volunteers
- Grief and bereavement support
- Counselling
How to begin
Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner
Speak with your provider about your illness and your goals of care. In sharing your wishes for your healthcare, you can be connected with care that aligns with your end of life goals.
End of life care can be supported at home, in a community hospice, or palliative care unit.
Call the Community Access Line
You can also begin by calling the Community Access Line. Have these details ready for you or the person you're calling for:
- BC Services Card
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Home address
South Island: 250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Centre Island: 250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
North Island: 250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For hospice society services, contact your local Hospice Society.
What to expect
- Care focused on comfort and quality of life
- Support managing pain and other symptoms
- Emotional and practical support for you and your family
- Care that respects your wishes and choices
- Support at home or in another care setting, depending on your needs
Costs and fees
If you wish to receive palliative care at home, the BC Palliative Care Benefits program may help cover the cost of certain medications and supplies.
There are fees for publicly funded inpatient hospice and respite care. These fees are set by the provincial government and are based on residential care rates.
Learn more about End-of-Life Care and the B.C. Palliative Care Benefits Program.