Palliative Care in Your Home
A palliative approach to care can be provided to you and those you choose to be involved in your care from the comfort of your home or assisted living home home.
How to access
Primary palliative care services
Contact your local health unit to request home and community care services.
Specialized palliative care consults in the home
Contact the specialized palliative care access line in your area for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is there a cost for palliative and end-of-life care services?
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.
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.
What to expect
Primary palliative care in the home
VCH offers a range of Primary Palliative Care Services in homes and home-like settings. This care may be provided by home health/home care nurses, home support/care aides, and allied health, among others.
Specialized palliative care in the home
Specialized Palliative Care Services offered in the home and home-like settings can include:
- Consults for healthcare providers on complex palliative cases
- 24/7 nursing (‘shift care’) for pain & symptom management, end-of-life care, or respite, which can be requested through home health/home care nurses.
