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
If you want to receive care at home, we will support you.
Our team works with you, your family, and your doctor to help you stay comfortable in familiar surroundings. We also help coordinate your care if you move between home, hospital, hospice, or long-term care.
Support may include:
- Nurse visits (free for palliative clients)
- Help manage pain and symptoms
- Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, a dietitian, or social work support
- In-home consultation with a palliative care doctor
- Help with daily activities like bathing and dressing
- Support for family and caregivers
Our goal is to help you feel supported and comfortable at home.
If care cannot be accommodated in the home environment, or a client does not desire a home death, Island Health and our partners offer care in Community Hospice beds, or in-patient Palliative Care Units.
How to begin
Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner
A referral from a care provider is required for care in a hospice, hospital, or facility. Start by speaking with your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
If you need care in a palliative care unit (Victoria, Nanaimo, Saanich Peninsula), your care provider will arrange this.
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
- Help 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 are in the last six months of life and receiving palliative care, Community Health Services provided at home are free.
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.
If you wish to receive palliative care at home, the B.C. Palliative Care Benefits Program may help cover certain medications and supplies during the last six months of life.
Learn more about End-of-Life Care and the B.C. Palliative Care Benefits Program.