This October will mark 42 years that the Alberni Valley Hospice Society has provided our community with end-of-life care programs, services and education. Dedicated hospice staff and volunteers lend valuable support to clients in our office, their homes, care facilities, and hospital.
Our services include support for palliative care clients, caregivers, as well as the bereaved in the form of respite, vigil, counselling supports and are available to anyone experiencing a life-limiting illness.
Individual grief counselling and grief support groups are available to anyone in the community who is experiencing grief through loss. Some of our other services are available to anyone within the community, including our Lending Library and Advance Care Planning assistance.
Our complementary Integrative Holistic Health Services (Healing Touch and Reiki,) are available to palliative care clients, caregivers, bereavement clients, and anyone in the community receiving cancer treatment.
Finally, we also offer respite and last days care for those who require 24-hour support at our residential Hospice, Ty Watson House. Ty Watson House was opened in 2008 and serves up to four residents and their families at any given time.
The need for hospice services increases daily. The government has recognized that quality end-of-life care is an integral part of our provincial health care system, but our hospice services still do not currently receive any core operational funding.
Except for a small per diem for stays in Ty Watson House, our services are free of charge and available for anyone needing end-of-life, grief and bereavement care. We rely on grants, fundraising events, and the generous donations from our community to maintain our various programs and services.
Our staff and volunteers feel honoured to be companions for our clients and their families. The overwhelming support of our community allows us to continue to care for those who are facing difficult days in their lives.
Thank you for 42 years of supporting Hospice in the Alberni Valley.
