Many people needing palliative and end-of-life care choose to be cared for at home – close to family, friends and familiar surroundings.
Island Health Community Health Services can provide a range of health care and support services in your home, often in partnership with local hospice societies. This includes supporting the wish for dying at home, surrounded by loved ones in a familiar environment.
Community Health Services also acts as a bridge between home and other care settings. These settings may include hospital, long-term care, assisted living, a doctor's office, hospice and other primary care settings.
If you are eligible for Community Health Services, services can include visits from:
- Nurses
- Occupational therapists and physiotherapists
- Registered dietitians
- Social workers and other health care professionals
- Collaboration with your doctor, a palliative care physician can provide in home consultation
Community Health Services can also help on a short or long-term basis with daily tasks like bathing, dressing and support for your caregivers.
Home care nurses provide professional nursing services for people with a terminal illness and their caregivers. Home care nursing is free for palliative clients and includes supportive counselling, assessment, referrals to community resources, and management of pain and other symptoms to optimize comfort for clients.
Home care nurses also assist with coordinating the Medical Supplies and Equipment Component of the BC Palliative Care Benefits Program.
For more information, please visit our Community Health Services pages or call the Community Access Line in your region to learn how we can help you and your family members.
No doctor's referral is needed to access our services and programs.
South Island: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
All communities south of Mill Bay, including Greater Victoria, the Southern Gulf Islands and west to Port Renfrew:
250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273
Centre Island: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
All communities from Mill Bay to Deep Bay, including Gabriola Island:
250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101
North Island: 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
All communities north of Deep Bay including the North Vancouver Island Regional District and adjacent Gulf Islands, Port Alberni and Tofino:
250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988
Phones are answered seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
