Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley

From the devastating moment when a patient receives a diagnosis of a terminal illness, both he or she and those who love the person begin perhaps the most personal journey a human being will ever take. The journey for the patient is as unique as each individual and many friends and family members feel lost and unable to know how to support their loved one.

“Palliative care patients are the neediest in the healthcare system, yet we say ‘nothing more can be done.’” – Dr. Balfour Mount

Hospice understands the special needs of both their client and their client’s family members at this time. Volunteers of the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley are specially-trained, caring people who are available to walk beside its clients and families from the time of a diagnosis through the first year of bereavement.

Hospice is not a place or a building; it is a concept. The focus is on caring, not curing; on life, not death. It has been medically proven that those who use Hospice assistance during the early stages of a terminal illness diagnosis live longer and happier lives. Quality of life, family wellness, community involvement and personal dignity are all part of hospice care’s compassion and progressive vision.

Volunteers visit homes, hospitals and health care facilities anywhere in the Columbia Valley from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen, providing key resource materials, companionship, a listening ear and an open heart. Hospice volunteers can assist with preparing legacy items, supporting caregivers and providing vigil care.

Hospice continues to support the bereaved following a death with visits and support groups. They can provide a kind of map to guide individuals and families who feel lost in their grief journey. Hospice visitors are trained in advanced listening skills to ensure they are present with the client with open hearts and minds, respecting each individual person’s journey and beliefs without judgment or imposition of personal values.

You are invited to contact the society at any time during your journey for either end-of-life or bereavement support.

Maria Kliavkoff, Executive Director

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