Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley
Vision Statement
We are Hospice. No one journeys through declining health, end of life, or grief alone.
Mission Statement
With compassion and respect, we empower, advocate for, and support individuals and families through life’s most difficult transitions.
Description
Hospice is not a place, it is a concept. The focus is on caring, not curing – on life, not death. Quality of life, family wellness, community involvement and personal dignity are all part of our compassionate and progressive vision.
Our mandate is to make the last months of life comfortable and peaceful for clients and their families by:
- improving quality of life,
- facilitating important conversations,
- developing creative ways of coping,
- supporting healthy grieving and,
- fostering growth and emotional healing.
To provide programs and services that support those struggling with the intense emotions associated with grief, loss, and bereavement.
HSCV is community based. Trained volunteers provide one-on-one support in the form of in home and/or hospital/care home visitations for anticipatory grief, end-of-life and bereaved clients.
HSCV is part of a comprehensive care team; we work closely with clients, families, medical representatives, social workers, and caregivers.
All programs, services, resources, and education to residents in need of support are free.
HSCV’s actions are governed by the knowledge that there is a duty to manage resources wisely and cost effectively.
Values & Guiding Principles
Compassion:
We assist individuals and families with empathy and kindness, offering comfort and support that honours each person’s unique journey. We:
- Listen attentively and without judgment.
- Offer a comforting presence.
- Create safe spaces where grief and vulnerability are supported.
Respect:
We uphold the dignity, choices, and beliefs of those we serve, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. We:
- Acknowledge each person’s unique emotional, cultural and spiritual needs
- Protect confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care.
- Approach every interaction with patience and understanding.
- Listen to and value the perspectives of clients, families, volunteers, and staff.
Integrity:
We align our actions with our values. We:
- Acting transparently and congruently
- Seeking and speaking – Seek the truth, gather facts
- Checking our perceptions
- Owning our own behaviour
Commitment:
We commit ourselves to our clients. We:
- Dedicate time and energy to supporting clients and their families throughout their journey.
- Continue learning and training to strengthen Hospice’s services.
- Advocate persistently for community awareness and support of the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley.
Collaboration:
We build partnerships with families, caregivers, volunteers, and community organizations. We:
- Work with healthcare providers, caregivers, and community organizations for holistic and seamless support.
- Encourage open communication and teamwork among volunteers, staff, and board members.
- Share resources and knowledge to strengthen the community’s capacity for compassionate accompaniment, support, and end-of-life care.
- Seek and value input from clients, families, and community stakeholders to improve services and support.
Quality:
We strive for quality in our interactions, continually learning, growing, and improving to better serve our community. We:
- Provide evidence-informed programs in companionship, support, grief, and bereavement care.
- Strive for continuous improvement through evaluation and feedback.
- Invest in volunteer training and professional development to ensure good practice at all levels of the organization.
- Lead by example as a community role model for compassionate companionship, and bereavement and end-of-life support.
Constitution of the Society
The purpose of the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley is to
- Promote health by relieving conditions associated with end of life in the 14 communities of the Columbia Valley by providing Hospice Services in the form of in home and/or hospital visitation to those diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Promote health by relieving conditions associated with bereavement and the grief process through programs designed to support those struggling with the intense emotions associated with grief, loss and bereavement.
We invite you to become part of the team by becoming a member of the society and/or by volunteering. You are always welcome to stop by the office or give us a call at (778-526-5143) to learn more about who we are and what we do.
British Columbia Hospice Palliative Care Association
The Hospice Societies of British Columbia have agreed to the following definition:
“Hospice Societies provide support and care for people living with life-limiting illness and for people at the end of life, family friends and others affected by life-limiting illness or death. They also provide support and care for people experiencing bereavement and those who are grieving. Hospice Societies’ support and care aims to enhance quality of life, provide comfort, and ease suffering while maintaining people’s dignity. Hospice Societies provide emotional, social, practical, spiritual, and grief and bereavement supports.
Hospices Societies use a whole-person approach that is person and family-centered. Their support and care are provided with compassion and recognize and respect the diverse aspects of a person’s identity and culture. Specially trained staff and volunteers deliver their support and care in a variety of settings, including the person’s home, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice facilities or residences, hospitals, virtual platforms, or other community locations. Hospice Societies are part of a broader system of formal and informal supports.
In British Columbia, the services hospice societies provide and the way they provide them can vary, depending on which community they serve Hospice Societies are not the same as a hospice facility or residence which provide 24-hour medical care for people with palliative ad end-of-life care needs. Oly a few hospice societies operate a facility or residence.
