What is Hospice Palliative Care?

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association defines hospice palliative care as a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-threatening illness that is usually at an advanced stage. The goal of palliative care is comfort and dignity for the person living with the illness, as well as the best quality of life for both this person and his or her family. A "family" means whoever the person considers to be family. It may include relatives, partners and friends.

Since 1980, Victoria Hospice has offered this unique and important kind of care. We offer expert management of pain and other distressing symptoms, along with skilled, compassionate emotional and spiritual support. We also support the family through to death and bereavement.

Our approach is aimed at comfort rather than cure.