Our Mission
Our Volunteers nurture, educate, and advocate for the highest quality Palliative (Comfort) Care and end of life experiences. We provide programs for those dying and their caregivers: and we support those who are grieving. We actively bring an equity lens to all aspects of our work as we work towards positive, systemic change.
Our Vision
To foster compassionate environments that support end-of-life comfort for those touched by death.
Our Values
We value human dignity.
We value living well until you die.
We value the best death possible.
We let compassion and respect guide our actions.
Our work thrives with community engagement. We embrace and encourage collaboration, partnership and diversity.
All of the above take place in strict confidence.
Our Future
Terrace Hospice Society is constantly striving to grow and to create new projects favourable to the community. Our latest endeavor aims to present another option for end of life care. It is the right of all individuals to die a dignified death and for most that means in comfort and surrounded by loved ones at home. Unfortunately, many terminal patients are still dying in hospitals, with limited visitation schedules, less than adequate comfort and where they receive treatment that is often unwanted or unneeded. THS is hoping to change this for members of our region by building a Hospice House.
A Hospice House is a facility that allows palliative individuals to face death in a warm, dignified atmosphere feeling safe, comfortable and cared for. Hospice Houses contain guest rooms with all the modern comforts of home. A Hospice House, unlike a hospital, is laid out in a way that allows family members to stay in the company of their loved one all hours of the day or night. There are no restrictions on visitation, there are no limits on hours and there are even common rooms for relatives and friends to gather, playrooms for children and bedrooms where families can sleep.
Hospice Houses also offer support, advice and information to the families. It is common to find scheduled activities hosted by professionals and societies that include workshops, lectures, fund- raising events and support groups. Doctors and nurses are available around the clock and are dedicated to providing quality care and carrying out the final wishes of the patient.
HOSPICE
Hospice palliative care is a special kind of support designed to provide comfort, compassion and sensitivity for individuals experiencing a life-limiting illness and/or nearing the end of life. Support is also available for their families in the form of respite care and grief support. Hospice is a philosophy rather than a place. Volunteers will give their support in the clients home, care facility or hospital with a program of care and support wherever there is a need.
Comfort, care and compassion when it's needed most
Hospice/Palliative care is active and compassionate care of the terminally ill, with the aim of enhancing the quality of their remaining lifetime. When the goals of cure and prolongation of life are no longer paramount, care is directed towards the control of distressing symptoms and addresses the physical, psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual needs of the dying persons and their families. Care encompasses the terminal phase, death, and bereavement period. The aim of Hospice/Palliative care is to enable a person “to live each day until he dies” in comfort and dignity in the location of his choice.
The Terrace Hospice Society provides a volunteer-based program that offers compassionate care and support for the dying, their caregivers, and the bereaved in the community and has done so since 1992. Please give us a call today at (250) 635-4811.
The Dying Person’s Bill of Rights
- I have the right to be treated as a living human being until I die.
- I have the right to maintain a sense of hopefulness however changing its focus may be.
- I have the right not to die alone.
- I have the right to participate in decisions concerning my care.
- I have the right to express my feelings and emotions about my approaching death in my own way.
- I have the right to expect continuing medical and nursing attention even though ‘cure’ goals must be changed to ‘comfort’ goals.
- I have the right to be free from pain.
- I have the right to have help from and for my family in accepting my death.
- I have the right to have my questions answered honestly.
- I have the right not to be deceived.
- I have the right to retain my individuality and not be judged for my decisions which may be contrary to beliefs of others.
- I have the right to be cared for by caring, sensitive, knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand my needs and will be able to gain some satisfaction in helping me face my death.