About VHS

The VHS Story

The Vancouver Hospice Society (VHS) was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in December 2003. The Society is governed by a 10 member Board of Directors, managed by an Executive Director and supported by over 700 members and volunteers.

The Vision of the VHS is to build small freestanding hospice homes, where the dying can be empowered to live with dignity until they die and where family and friends feel welcomed, supported and part of the circle of care.

To live out this vision, the Society has acquired property to build a six-bed freestanding Hospice Home at 4615 Granville Street that will provide care to as many as 150 patients each year. We expect our new home will be ready to receive patients by the spring of 2012. At present, the Society is involved in a capital campaign. When completed, the Society will have sufficient funds to own the land clear title, complete construction, furnish the home and provide operating capital for three years.

Our Hospice will provide a home-like atmosphere for people living with a life limiting illness who are no longer able to stay in their own residences. We will also be able to accommodate “respite care” – short- term admissions to bring pain and symptoms under control, while at the same time, giving caregivers a much needed break. Our day program will provide another opportunity for patients to come to the Hospice Home, check in with a nurse or doctor, take advantage of some relaxation programs, while giving time off to caregivers. We estimate that over 800 people, annually, will be cared for and supported by the VHS Hospice Home.

The demand for Hospice / Palliative Care:

  • The first of the baby boomers have turned 65. Within the next 15 years, more than 50% of all Canadians will be seniors.
  • Only 10% of deaths are sudden.
  • 90% of dying people will require some kind of end-of-life care.
  • Each death in Canada affects the immediate well-being of, on average, five other people, or more than 1.25 million Canadians each year.
  • 60% of Canadian deaths occur in hospitals.
  • 70% of family and informal caregivers acknowledge that providing care to a loved one is stressful.
  • 70% of family and informal caregivers indicate that they require time away from the responsibility of caring for a loved one.
  • Only 15% of Canadians who require hospice /palliative care have access to these specialized services.

    • Hospice care is a holistic approach that encompasses not only the physical needs of patients but their emotional, social and spiritual needs as well.

    Much attention is currently being paid to the struggles our health care system is experiencing in meeting current demand. Cost effective alternatives to hospital care are needed. Hospice homes such as ours provide such an alternative. A bed in a hospice home costs approximately $350.00 per day compared to a bed in a hospital which costs $1,200.00 a day. This is due in a large part to the number of volunteers working in a hospice home.

    The Vision of VHS

    • To establish freestanding hospice homes, respite care, day programs and bereavement services in Vancouver.
    • To work in partnership with health authorities and other funding partners, existing hospices, palliative care programs and other related community groups.
    • To support research and education on hospice care and bereavement.