Ashcroft – Clearwater – Lillooet – Lytton – Merritt

The goal of Palliative Care is to improve the comfort and quality of life of patients and their families facing advanced disease, when a cure is no longer possible. The Central Okanagan Hospice Palliative Care Program’s aim is to relieve physical symptoms as well as support you and your family emotionally and spiritually.

Our Palliative Care Team consists of many members from across the continuum including the Community, Kelowna General Hospital, and Central Okanagan Hospice House. Central Okanagan Hospice House is staffed by professional and specialty trained care staff. Admission to Hospice House is for patients that meet the IH regional criteria for palliative care and on assessment by the Central Okanagan Palliative Care Team.

Eligibility: Patients must have a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of < 6 months. Have a MOST designation "M" and be on board with palliative care treatment. Be 19 years or older. Have a family Physician who will participate in care. Registration with BC Palliative Benefits. Be registered with the Central Okanagan Hospice Palliative Care Program.

As per the Ministry of Health criteria, community hospice beds are identified as short term beds with a 90 day maximum length of stay.
As per the Community Hospice bed agreement, “while in a Community Hospice Bed, your condition will be assessed on a regular basis by the health care team, including your Family physician. If your condition stabilized, you will be discharged home with appropriate supports. If going home is not an option, you will be assessed for care in another setting.”

Patient instructions:

• Please bring all of your current medications.
• Patients will be responsible for the cost of medications not covered by BC Palliative Benefits.
• There is a cost for a bed at the hospice; it changes yearly so please contact clinical practice educator at the hospice.