Palliative care

Palliative care is an approach to care for people living with serious illnesses* that considers the whole person, including their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. 

Palliative care is about maximizing the quality of life and reducing suffering, from diagnosis to end of life. It invites conversations to align care planning with the person's values, beliefs, and wishes. Palliative care can coexist alongside curative treatment and the hope for a longer life. 

A palliative approach to care can be helpful at any point. This includes from time of diagnosis and throughout the illness journey for anyone with a serious illness*. 

*Serious illnesses include dementia, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, frailty, and cancer, among others.

Depending on the type of services you require, there may be a cost for end-of-life care or palliative care services.

There is no cost for community nursing or rehabilitation services if you receive care at home. Some medications and palliative supplies, and equipment are available free of charge for eligible patients through B.C. Palliative Care Benefits. In addition, there is no cost for home support services if you are enrolled with B.C. Palliative Care Benefits. 

Learn more about B.C. Palliative Care Benefits, including eligibility requirements, a patient information sheet and list of approved medications.

If you require publicly subsidized hospice care, you will pay a fixed daily rate per day. The daily rate for short-stay services is adjusted each year. It is calculated by multiplying the minimum monthly rate for long-term care services by 12 months and dividing it by 365 days.

Find more information on the costs of publicly subsidized home and community care services in B.C.

The intent of B.C. Palliative Care Benefits is to allow patients to receive palliative care at home rather than be admitted to hospital. The benefits give palliative patients access to the same drug benefits they would receive in hospital, and access to some medical supplies and equipment from their health authority.

The benefits include full coverage of approved medications, equipment and supplies (upon referral to and assessment by the local health authority).

For more information on B.C. Palliative Care Benefits, including eligibility requirements, a patient information sheet and list of approved medications, go to:

B.C. Palliative Care Benefits on the Government of B.C website

Advance care planning is a way for you to make sure your voice is heard about your medical care, especially if there is ever a time when you cannot speak for yourself. If something unexpected happens, like an accident or sudden illness, and you cannot tell the doctors what you want, your advance care plan guides your treatment.

Learn more about advance care planning

Some individuals who are nearing their end of life may wish to have a natural and expected death at home. Specialized palliative care services can offer a range of services to individuals and their family/support networks to ensure they feel informed, supported, and comfortable throughout this journey. If you or someone you know has a terminal illness and would like more information on planning an expected death at home, please see:

Expected/Planned Deaths in British Columbia

or access specialized palliative care services in your community

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Individuals and their families have many decisions to make when faced with end-of-life care or intolerable suffering. It’s important for British Columbians to know and understand all the health-care options available to them. If medical assistance in dying is something you are interested in learning more about, please visit the following page: 

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)